Pagabo has opened bidding for its National Framework for Small to Medium Works 2026, inviting contractors to compete for places on a programme designed to boost regional firms and drive local economic growth across the UK.

Aligned to the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024, the framework is scheduled to launch in April 2027 and will run for four years. It carries an estimated total value of up to £2bn, with individual project awards capped at £20m.

Up to 75% of appointments through the framework will be allocated to regional businesses. The scope spans new build, refurbishment, highways, public realm, accessibility improvements, decarbonisation, and mechanical and electrical engineering.

This is the third iteration of the Small to Medium Works framework and is administered by Pagabo on behalf of the contracting authority, The Education Alliance. It is intended to provide public sector clients with a compliant route to appoint quality contractors from their own areas, helping to retain investment within local communities.

Eligibility extends to a broad range of public sector organisations, including local and combined authorities, central government, housing associations, NHS trusts, education providers, policing and ambulance services, public utilities, fire and rescue services, museums, leisure facilities (including sports, health and wellbeing), and prisons. The third sector, along with organisations operating in highways and infrastructure and aviation, can also access the framework.

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Jason Stapley, chief procurement officer at Pagabo, said: "This is a framework that explicitly focuses on ensuring regional lots are reserved for regional firms, in the form of having national procurement assurance with a focus on local delivery.

"We're excited to continue this offering and open the opportunity for contractors and the public sector to take advantage of a ready-made and compliant way to turn devolved funding into local delivery and local growth. The offering is a vessel to help the public sector deliver the greatest value from investment, which is especially important considering the government's focus on fiscal devolution – pushed in the recent Autumn Budget.

"Speed, compliance and quality continue to take centre stage within all frameworks that we manage, and through our role we're able to help drive regional growth across the UK by enhancing opportunities for local contractors and supply chains."

The framework features five principal lots, with Lots 2–5 divided into 40 geographic area sub-lots to enable procurement with firms close to projects. Lot 1 is reserved for national contractors to maintain a nationwide option for public sector clients. The lots are structured as: Lot 1 (Collaborative Partner) covering Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales for £0–£20m; Lot 2 at £0–£1m; Lot 3 at £1m–£5m; Lot 4 at £5m–£10m; and Lot 5 at £10m–£20m. Bids will be evaluated 70% on quality and 30% on price.

Delivery and management will run through Pagabo+, the organisation's digital-first platform, providing a single environment for framework activity, reporting and compliance in line with PA23. Jason's thoughts continued: "This framework offering is championed through our Pagabo+ offering, creating space for contractors to take advantage of faster and greater visibility of public sector opportunities, reduced administrative overheads through our digitised process and a much clearer and consistent compliance with PA23."

The deadline for tender submissions is 5 January 2027. Interested contractors can access further details and documentation via InTend: supplier.in-tend.co.uk/pagabo/tenders/details/79ea17bb-3e5d-42e5-932b-15b0fbb7fcd1