£750 Million NHS Construction Framework: What Suppliers Need to Know About SBS10533

NHS Shared Business Services has published a Planned Procurement Notice for one of the largest public sector construction frameworks currently in the UK pipeline: the Public Sector Construction Works 2 Framework, reference SBS10533.

With an estimated total value of £750 million excluding VAT, this framework represents a major opportunity for construction contractors, regional SMEs, national firms and specialist suppliers looking to secure public sector work across the UK and Crown Dependencies.

The framework is expected to replace the current NHS SBS construction works agreement, which expires in September 2027, and will provide a compliant route for public sector construction projects between 10 September 2027 and 9 September 2031.

With the NHS facing a £10.2 billion hospital maintenance backlog and the Government’s New Hospital Programme targeting 40 new hospitals by 2030, demand for reliable, compliant and high-quality construction delivery routes has never been greater.

Key Details of the NHS SBS Public Sector Construction Works 2 Framework

What Does the £750 million NHS Construction Framework Cover?

The Public Sector Construction Works 2 Framework is divided into three lots, each designed for different project values, levels of complexity and delivery requirements.

Lot 1: Minor Works — £0m to £5m, Regional

Lot 1 covers simple construction projects, extensions, refurbishments and maintenance tasks across twelve geographical areas.

These projects will typically use simplified contract forms such as JCT or NEC4.

Suppliers appointed to this lot will pay a 1% fee, capped at £50,000 per project.

Lot 2: Intermediate Works — £5m to £15m, Regional

Lot 2 is designed for moderately complex construction, refurbishment and demolition projects, also organised across twelve geographical areas.

These contracts require more comprehensive provisions than minor works but fall short of full standard building contracts.

The fee for Lot 2 is 0.75%, capped at £112,500 per project.

Lot 3: Major Works — £15m+, National

Lot 3 covers large-scale and complex construction and civil engineering projects delivered nationally.

These projects are expected to involve significant investment, multiple stakeholders, dedicated project teams and advanced technological requirements.

The fee for Lot 3 is 0.5%, capped at £250,000 per project.

All three lots share estimated values of up to £750m excluding VAT, reflecting the pooled framework ceiling.

Evaluation Criteria: Quality and Social Value Will Be Critical

The award criteria for the NHS SBS construction framework make the priorities clear.

With 70% of the evaluation weighted towards quality and social value combined, this framework will not simply be a race to the lowest price.

NHS SBS has explicitly stated its commitment to working with suppliers “dedicated to Sustainability and Social Value”, with a “significant weighting on these elements”.

For construction suppliers, this means early preparation will be essential. Bidders will need strong quality narratives, relevant case studies, robust evidence and credible social value commitments that go beyond generic statements.

Key Dates for Construction Suppliers

Suppliers interested in the SBS10533 framework should make note of the following dates:

Attendance at the bidder webinar is not mandatory, and a recording will be published for those unable to attend. However, attending live gives suppliers the opportunity to understand the evaluation process, ask questions and start shaping their bid strategy well ahead of the submission deadline.

Important Submission Requirements

Bidders should be aware of several key requirements before the tender notice goes live.

SAP Ariba Registration

Suppliers will need to register for, or log into, an Ariba Network account to access the full procurement documentation when the tender notice is published.

Central Digital Platform Registration

Bidders must also register on the Central Digital Platform, ensure their Core Supplier Information is up to date and submit it as part of their bid.

SME and VCSE Suitability

All three lots are flagged as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises. This is a clear signal that NHS SBS wants to encourage a diverse supplier base.

Cabinet Office Controls

The procurement strategy remains subject to Cabinet Office assurance, which means elements may change before the final tender documentation is issued.

Why Early Preparation Could Decide Who Wins

Although the tender notice is not due to be published until September 2026, suppliers should not wait until then to begin preparing.

1. Quality Scores Will Drive Success

With 60% of the evaluation weighting assigned to quality, responses must be evidence-rich, well-structured and persuasive. Developing strong answers, clear win themes, and relevant examples takes time.

2. Social Value Needs a Credible Plan

A 10% social value weighting may appear modest, but it can be the difference between securing a place on the framework and missing out. Suppliers will need demonstrable commitments, not generic promises.

3. Evidence and Case Studies Take Time to Build

Most major tenders require detailed examples of comparable projects, CVs of key personnel and supporting documentation. Gathering these assets under pressure often leads to weaker submissions.

4. Understanding the Evaluation Model Matters

The June bidder webinar provides early insight into how NHS SBS intends to score bids. That intelligence should directly inform bid strategy, content planning and evidence development.

5. Compliance Failures Can Be Costly

Open procedures under the Procurement Act 2023 have strict rules. Missing a single requirement can result in exclusion, regardless of the overall quality of the bid.

How Procter Street Can Help Suppliers Prepare for SBS10533

At Procter Street, we are management consultancy and procurement specialists with proven experience supporting organisations through complex public sector procurement processes.

Our team works across business strategy, change and transformation, procurement and commercial services, governance and policy, and technical advisory. This gives us the breadth and depth required to support construction firms preparing for high-value frameworks such as SBS10533.

We understand the NHS procurement landscape, the expectations of frameworks managed by NHS SBS and what evaluators are looking for. We have delivered for clients including SEGRO, Northern Gateway Development Vehicle, Rochdale Borough Council and Northern Trains Limited, across programmes involving planning, regulatory compliance, social value delivery and complex stakeholder management.

Our Bid Support Services

Procter Street can support construction suppliers at every stage of the bid preparation process.

Bid Strategy

We help identify your competitive edge and align it to the evaluation criteria before a single answer is written.

Tender Response Writing

Our team develops professionally written, evaluator-focused responses designed to maximise quality scores.

Case Study and Evidence Development

We turn your track record into compelling, compliant and relevant evidence that supports your submission.

Social Value Strategy and Delivery Plans

We have direct experience developing social value submissions aligned to the National TOMs framework, the Social Value Act 2012 and the Social Value Portal.

Compliance and Document Reviews

We provide detailed pre-submission reviews to ensure all requirements are addressed and nothing important is missed.

Post-Submission Debrief Support

We help suppliers learn from every opportunity, strengthen future submissions and improve long-term win rates.

What Our Clients Say

Don’t Leave It Until September

With the Bidder Webinar on 17 June 2026 and the tender due to go live in September 2026, now is the time for suppliers to start building their bid strategy.

This £750 million NHS construction framework is likely to attract significant competition. Contractors that begin early will be better placed to develop strong quality responses, prepare compliant documentation and evidence their social value commitments effectively.

Book a free initial consultation with Procter Street today to discuss your approach to SBS10533 or any other public sector construction opportunities in your pipeline.

Contact us today: hello@procterandstreet.co.uk | 0161 560 1138