The new framework mirrors one issued for the south east region, that was let last year and saw a scrummage of firms of all types secure places.

The group, made up of the City and County of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, and Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire County Councils are looking for civils firms to supplement their in house direct labour organisations.

Work will involve a full spread of civil engineering construction and specialist work packages from highways maintenance, safety fencing and lighting, through to demolition.

Contractors of all sizes will be able to bid for places that cover work packages worth around £100,000 up to major works of over £7.5m.

Following several buyers days events last Autumn anywhere from 70 to 160 firms are expected to bid for a place on the framework.

Carmarthenshire County Council is the lead procurement authority and is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. PQQ/ITT code Project 27059 / PQQ 31188