The council is on the hunt for six firms to deliver schools, blue light and other public sector new-build and refurbishment project across southern England.

Successful firms will see the four-year framework start in June 2019 with an estimated total spend of £400m.

Existing partners include Amiri Construction, Beard, Kier, Lakehouse, Midas, Raymond Brown Building, Interserve and W Stirling.

The Intermediate Construction Framework will follow the principles and practice of two-stage appointment of contractors to projects, early contractor engagement, open-book pricing and collaborative working.

A supplier awareness day will be held on 15 June at 9.30 am in the Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8SB. The council is looking for feedback on the appropriate number of contractors; call of process, contractor fees and collaborative approaches.

A formal invitation to tender is likely to be advertised on 15 August. Bidders interested in attending this day can use the procurement portal or contact the council Procurement Support Team: Tel 01962832323, E-mail: [email protected].

The council also called up firms two months ago for a similar arrangement for major works valued over £4m.

This Southern Construction Framework ranks as the country’s biggest regional building framework, worth £1.9bn-£5.2bn.

Shortlisted contractors will be invited to tender for the framework on 13 August with around 11 successful firms notified on 31 January 2019.