Southern Construction Framework 6 (SCF-6): What Contractors Need to Know About the £10 Billion Opportunity

Introduction

One of the most significant public sector construction procurement opportunities of the decade is now live. Hampshire County Council and Devon County Council have launched the procurement process for the sixth generation of the Southern Construction Framework known as SCF-6 a managed framework with an estimated value of £10 billion (excluding VAT). With the current SCF-5 due to expire on 1st May 2027, the clock is ticking for contractors who want to secure a place on this landmark framework.

Whether you are a regional contractor operating across the South West or a national firm delivering major projects across England, SCF-6 presents a compelling route to a sustained pipeline of public sector construction work. Here is everything you need to know.

What Is the Southern Construction Framework?

The Southern Construction Framework has been operating for over 20 years and is jointly overseen through a Working Agreement between Hampshire County Council and Devon County Council. It is far more than a simple route to market SCF is an actively managed framework that defines the behaviours, standards and processes that all appointed contractors must meet.

During its fifth generation, SCF-5 surpassed £10 billion of delivery across the public estate in the South of England, supporting over 850 public sector clients including local authorities, central government departments, universities and emergency services. As of July 2025, SCF-5 had already achieved £1.85 billion of workload  96% of its anticipated turnover at just 75% of its framework duration  a clear signal of robust demand.

The framework is underpinned by a dedicated Framework Management Team (FMT) that provides governance, client and contractor support, performance monitoring and continuous improvement across the full lifecycle of procurement, pre-construction, construction and aftercare.

What Is SCF-6 and Who Can Use It?

SCF-6 will run from 4th May 2027 to 2nd May 2031  a period of just under four years and carries an estimated total value of £10 billion excluding VAT. The framework cap has been deliberately revised upwards from the previous generation to reflect both the exceptional delivery performance of SCF-5 and the expanded scope of SCF-6.

In a significant expansion of eligibility, SCF-6 will be open to all public sector bodies in England, not just those in the South. Eligible contracting authorities include:

• Central government departments and executive agencies

• Local authorities and combined authorities

• NHS bodies and healthcare organisations

• Emergency services

• Educational establishments including schools, colleges and universities

• Registered providers of social housing

• Organisations funded by or operating on behalf of a public body

This broadened reach makes SCF-6 one of the most widely accessible public sector construction frameworks in England.

Framework Structure: Lots and Value Bands

SCF-6 is structured across 10 lots, divided by geography and contract value. This tiered approach ensures that contractors of all sizes — from regional SMEs to national Tier 1 firms — can find an appropriate entry point.

Intermediate Lots (£0–£30m)

• Lot 1 – Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (up to £30m, up to 10 suppliers)

• Lot 2 – Devon and Somerset, excluding North Somerset and BANES (up to £15m, up to 10 suppliers)

• Lot 3 – North Somerset, Bristol, BANES and Gloucestershire (up to £15m, up to 10 suppliers)

• Lot 4 – Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex (up to £15m, up to 15 suppliers)

• Lot 5 – London, East Sussex, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire (up to £15m, up to 15 suppliers)

• Lot 6 – South of England wide (available to all suppliers awarded Lots 1–5, cap <£30m)

Major Lots (£10m–£120m)

• Lot 7 – South West (up to 10 suppliers, estimated value £1.3bn)

• Lot 8 – London and South East (up to 12 suppliers, estimated value £1.3bn)

• Lot 9 – England wide (automatic inclusion for all Lot 7 and 8 suppliers)

Mega Lot (£100m+)

• Lot 10 – England (estimated value £3.8bn, no cap on supplier numbers stated)

Bidding restrictions apply: contractors in the South West may bid for a maximum of four lots from Lots 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10. In the South East and London, suppliers bidding for Lot 8 cannot also bid for Lots 4 or 5. The maximum number of lots any single supplier can bid for across the framework is seven.

How Projects Are Awarded Under SCF-6

Contractors appointed to SCF-6 will be called off via two primary routes:

Mini Competition is the default route, with projects issued to relevant lot suppliers based on geography and value. Suppliers have the opportunity to review and discount their pre-agreed rates to reflect project-specific efficiencies.

Direct Award is available where the contracting authority can demonstrate a clear advantage — for example, continuity of a site team from a previous project, a demonstrable specialism, or an urgent programme requirement that does not allow time for competition.

Award Criteria: What Will Win Bids?

Across all lots, the evaluation is split 80% quality and 20% price — a weighting that strongly rewards collaborative behaviours and delivery capability over cost alone. Quality criteria include:

• Regional and lot-specific capability

• Pre-construction and construction phase management (pass/fail)

• Social value (10–15%)

• Project stewardship (14–15%)

• Two-stage open book procurement (Intermediate lots, 20%)

• Transparency (Major lots, 17%)

• Governance for £100m+ projects (Mega lot, 20%)

This quality-led approach reflects SCF's ethos: value for money achieved through early engagement, transparency and collaborative delivery — not simply through the lowest price.

Key Dates and How to Apply

The procurement is live now under reference UN27073, procured under an open procedure in line with the Procurement Act 2023.

• Enquiry deadline: 17th August 2026 at 5:00pm

• Tender submission deadline: 27th August 2026 at 2:00pm

• Estimated award decision: 18th December 2026

• Framework start: 4th May 2027

Framework Levy

SCF-6 uses a linear levy model to ensure fair contribution across all project values:

• Projects of £5m or less: 0.6% of contract sum

• Projects of £100m or more: 0.19% of contract sum

• Projects between £5m and £100m: a sliding scale between the two rates

The levy should be incorporated into contractors' not-to-exceed overhead and profit rates within their commercial responses.

A Note on Local Government Reorganisation

Contractors should be aware that both Hampshire and Devon County Councils are currently progressing through Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which may result in changes to the legal entities that hold framework and call-off contracts during the life of SCF-6. The FMT will communicate the practical implications as they arise, and contractual arrangements will be adapted accordingly to ensure continuity.

Conclusion

SCF-6 represents a major, long-term opportunity for contractors of all sizes operating across England's public sector construction market. With a £10 billion framework cap, a quality-first evaluation approach, and access to over 850 potential public sector clients, appointment to SCF-6 could underpin a contractor's public sector pipeline well into the early 2030s. The tender deadline of 27th August 2026 leaves limited time preparation should begin now.

Get in touch with Procter Street today to discuss how we can support your next public sector opportunity.

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