Description
Portsmouth City Council ('the council') on behalf of the Southern Coastal Group (SCG) and SCOPAC (Standing Conference on Problem Associated with the Coast), is inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors for inclusion onto a multi-contractor Coastal & Flood Works Framework Agreement. This framework will replace the existing SCG Minor Works Framework that is due to expire on 30th November 2026.
The Council s aiming to commence the framework from March 2027 which will run for a period of four years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years in increments to be agreed.
The framework will comprise of 3 lots:
• Lot 1a - Minor Coastal Civil Engineering Works.
• Lot 1b - General Coastal Civil Engineering Works.
• Lot 2 - Specialist beach management.
Contractors may apply for any or all of the 3 lots. Each framework lot will be made up of a primary tier of up to 4 contractors and a secondary tier of up to 2 contractors. The secondary tier will primarily be used on a contingency resource basis.
Stage 1 Application is via submission of a completed Procurement Selection Questionnaire (PSQ) by 14th August 2026 @ 12:00. The council anticipates shortlisting 8 contractors for each Lot from assessment of the returned PSQ submissions, who will then be invited to tender.
The value of the framework across both lots is estimated to be in the region of £25M - £75m over six years.
From previous spend, and future demand from SCG Members and with consideration of proposed EA General Works grant aid funding rule changes expected in April this year, we are estimating annual Framework usage and values to be the following, however there is no guarantee of this volume of work and actual volumes and spend may be higher or lower:
Lot 1a - Estimated 10-20 call offs p/a, totalling £500k - £1m p/a
Lot 1b - Estimated 5-10 call offs p/a, totalling £2m-£5m p/a
Lot 2 - Estimated 5-10 call offs p/a, totalling £500k-£1m p/a
The average value of works called off via the framework for each Lot by SCG and SCOPAC is likely to range from:
• Lot 1a: £10k - £100k
• Lot 1b: £250k - £5m
• Lot 2: £50k - £1m
However, there may also be commissions below £100k and on occasion in excess of £5m. Although it is unlikely that very high or very low value work will be procured via the agreement no upper or lower value constraints shall apply.
CONTRACT TERMS
The framework will be let using NEC4 Framework Contract with following call-off options as appropriate:
• NEC4 ECC and ECSC
• NEC4 TSC and TSSC
• Standard Authority PO T&Cs for low value, low complex works.
SCOPE
Refer to individual Lot information section of notice for details.
ESTABLISHMENT PROJECTS
For lot 1a and lot 1b the framework will be establish based upon a scenario project(s). The Council may establish lot 2 upon either a scenario project(s) also OR a live project. This is to be confirmed at tender stage.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW
As part of the wider Local Government Review (LGR), the Council is required to actively engage in discussions with neighbouring authorities to explore potential opportunities for collaboration, shared service delivery, and governance alignment. While this engagement is ongoing, no formal decisions or agreements have been reached at this stage.
Under current LGR proposals, it is likely to require Portsmouth City Council to form a new Authority by merging with other neighbouring Authorities. For Portsmouth, this will result in a new Council being created to provide the same services to everyone in the city, whilst covering a larger area and have a different name. Effectively all the current council services in the area of the new council boundary would be merged to create a new Council.
The government has announced its decision on Local Government Reorganisation on Wednesday 25th March 2026 that Portsmouth City Council will become part of a larger unitary authority that will cover the areas of Gosport, Fareham and Havant, and include Newlands, Horndean, Clanfield and Rowlands Castle.
The new unitary authority vesting date will be on 1st April 2028.
In the event of reorganisation, contracts will include clauses that allow for the assignment of the contract to successor authorities. Any assignment clause is likely to state any contract may be assigned to any new authority that succeeds the original contracting authority.
For further details in respect of LGR for the Council see the following link -
https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/devolution-and-plans-for- local-government-reorganisation/
For wider LGR information please refer to this link to the government page: Local government reorganisation: Policy and programme updates - GOV.UK