Building Safety - Higher Risk Building Framework

Description

Portsmouth City Council (The 'Council') have published this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice to inform and engage with the market regarding the establishment of a Framework to provide building safety projects for several higher risk residential buildings within the Portsmouth area. The feedback gained from appropriately qualified & experienced contractors, or contractors that are not yet qualified & experienced but can evidence relevant business development activities will be used to inform the strategy to secure contractors to undertake subsequent building safety remedial projects on multiple higher risk residential buildings within the Council's possession. It is envisaged that the procurement will commence in April 2026 to allow for award in August 2026 ahead of the commencement of the first project on site in May 2027. The Council is considering inviting proposals for the first project, at Millgate House, as part of the tendering process to establish the framework agreement with the highest ranked framework contractor being awarded the call off contact for the Millgate House project. The Council anticipates partnering with multiple contractors who will work on multiple projects, including the Design, Construction and compliance with legal and regulatory authorities such as the Building Safety Regulator. DEMAND There are currently 12 projects to be tendered, subject to review, of the following values; 4 x Up to £1m 4 x £1m - £5m 4 x £15m - £20m SCOPE OF WORKS Fire Stopping New Compartment Walls New Communal Fire Door Sets New Fire Rated Property Entrance Doors (External and Internal) Class B-s1, d0 Communal Decoration Installation of External Wall Systems Fire Rated Window Replacement Walkway / Balcony Railing Repair / Replacement Installation of Emergency Lighting Installation of Fire Alarm Systems Installation of Evacuation Alert Systems Solar Panel Remediations Installation of AOVs Ventilation Repairs / Improvements Installation of Sprinklers Dry/Wet Riser Installation / Replacement PROPOSED FRAMEWORK The Council's preferred strategy is to create a new framework; however, to assist make its decision on the form, structure and scope of the framework, the Council is keen to gain views from the market on options for how the framework could be structured, including lotting and call off mechanisms to ensure greatest flexibility. The framework, is currently proposed to have the following features: To meet the programme the procurement route will be established for an initial period of 4-years, with the option to extend for a further 2 years, up to a maximum 6-year duration in total. The extension may be required as contingency in case the programme of works experiences unforeseen delays due to regulatory approvals, alterations to works or changes in further demand. It is anticipated that over the initial 4-year period up to £85m may be procured through the procurement route based upon the Building Safety Programme for 2025 to 2030. The projects predicted to be procured through this route are anticipated to range in value from £0.4m to £19m, with the average call off project being in the range of £1m - £5m. The Council is currently considering the procurement strategy for projects above £15m, which may or may not be included for within the proposed framework, depending on the outcome of internal discussions and this pre-market engagement exercise. It is not proposed to set a minimum or maximum project value as whilst the contract value ranges may differ the core work is of a similar nature, ie. of high complexity, requiring a high level of engagement from the contractor with the majority of the projects utilising design and build and requiring significant resident engagement. The Council's Standard Framework Agreement will be used for the overarching framework. It is anticipated that most call off contracts will be let using JCT Pre-Construction Agreement for 1st stage pre-construction activities and the JCT Design & Build Contact for 2nd stage construction works. However there may be occasion when opportunities are tendered on a traditional lump sum single stage basis for either or both the design and build elements. The Council is therefore considering allowing for use of the full suite of JCT contracts and potentially also the NEC suite of contracts. The Council is currently considering the lotting options under the framework. Options being considered include: - Establishing a single framework approach with 4 suppliers on the primary tier with 2-3 suppliers in a reserve tier OR - Establishing 2 lots covering different regional areas with 4-5 suppliers on each lot. Award of contracts may be via a mini-competition or direct award, as appropriate and depending upon Lotting strategy adopted. The procurement route for each project will be determined on an individual basis. The Framework may will primarily be used by Portsmouth City Council & Successor Unitary Authority established as result of Local Government Re-organisation which will likely broadly cover Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham & Havant boundaries. Gosport Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council and Havant Borough Council will also be able to utilise the framework in advance of the new unitary authority vesting on 1st April 2028. The Council is also considering opening up access to other Council's and public sector bodies such as Housing Associations operating within the wider Solent area. PROGRAMME The Council are intending to run the PME and the subsequent envisaged tender process under the following Procurement Programme: Issue Preliminary Market Engagement Notice 18th December 2025 PME Contractor Engagement Event (Hybrid) 16th January 2026 PME Contractor engagement 1:1s 26th January 2026 to 6th February 2026 ITT published via Intend / Contract Notice 20th April 2026 Site visits and bidders' session 20th April 2026 to 15th May 2026 Deadline for clarifications 29th May 2026 Tender return deadline 5th June 2026 Notification of award 3rd July 2026 End of standstill period 15th July 2026 Section 20 period 6th July 2026 - 4th August 2026 Framework & Contract Award Confirmation 5th August 2026 Framework & Contract Execution 21st August 2026 Mobilisation 21st June 2027 to 8th October 2027 Works commence on site 11th October 2027 Completion of works on site 6th October 2028