Nine winners of the previous three-year deal now face a fight to retain their places.

They include relative newcomers Sir Robert McAlpine and Mace, alongside regular winners BAM, Galliford Try, ISG, Kier, Morgan Sindall, Wates and Willmott Dixon. The 10th selected contractor Midas collapsed

Ahead of going out to tender for the Construct Framework, the procurement body plans to hold a supplier information event on 12 April 2022.

The framework is a joint initiative between Hampshire County Council and Devon County Council and has on average reduced costs by 1% in pre-construction, claim SCF chiefs.

Modelled on two-stage open book procurement, the framework will be used to deliver public sector construction projects in education, health, sport & leisure, fire & police, and build to rent.

As before, there will be three regional lots across the South West, South East, and London for projects worth more than £4m.

For the first time, the South West will be split into two value bands to encourage SMEs, with a lower £1m-£5m lot.

Kingsley Clarke, SCF Operations Lead (South West) said, “We are excited to launch our next generation of SCF Construct to build on our past success. For me in the South West of particular note is the creation of a lower value lot.”