Bidding will start in September for places on the bundled up framework, which will include races for places on the fourth-generation NHS ProCure 23 framework, MoD airfield works and major construction projects valued at more than £80m.

ProCure23 will be a key element of the big new contractor contest, accounting for over £17bn of spend over four years to 2025.

Work will include the provision of design and construction services to NHS capital projects other than the recently-launched New Hospital Programme.

Building on past iterations, P23 is hoped to bring the latest best practice in construction methods to the NHS and focuses on delivering greener facilities, reducing carbon emissions and promoting social value.

The present P22 arrangement is shared by six firms: BAM, Galliford Try, Graham, Tilbury Douglas, Kier and Vinci/Sir Robert McAlpine joint venture IHP.

Now the plan is to split P23 into three value-based lots: 1. for projects less than £20m; 2. for projects £20-£70; and 3. for projects valued at over £70m+.

The new smaller projects lot will be split geographically across the seven NHS England regions, to open up opportunities for more regional and medium-sized firms and increase delivery capacity.

In its 19 year history, the ProCure framework has successfully delivered more than 1,200 projects across England, with a cumulative spend of £9.7bn, and ProCure23 will build this heritage into a third decade.

The remaining bid contest is effectively a partial refresh and expansion of the Government’s Construction Works and Associated Services framework to provide extra market capacity and usher in principles in the Construction Playbook.

Lot four will cover airfield-related works across the UK and lot 5 general construction works on major projects exceeding £80m in the UK.