Description
1. Background and Context
YWS is delivering a significantly expanded capital investment programme across construction, civil engineering, and water infrastructure assets. The scale, complexity, and phasing of this programme has created ongoing and fluctuating demand for specialist project delivery, commercial, and project controls capability.
Current labour market conditions have resulted in:
• Shortages of suitably experienced permanent resources
• Increased reliance on contingent and specialist expertise
• The need for rapid mobilisation and flexible deployment of skilled professionals
To address these challenges, YWS seeks to establish a systematic, scalable framework for the provision of professional contract resources to support capital programme delivery.
2. Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this procurement is to appoint a panel of suitably qualified suppliers capable of providing high-quality, flexible professional resources on an ongoing and call-off basis.
The objectives of the framework are to:
• Ensure continuity of delivery across the capital programme
• Address short-term and long-term resource gaps
• Enable rapid response to changing project demands
• Maintain cost control, consistency, and quality
• Provide a future-proof mechanism that can adapt to evolving programme requirements
3. Scope of Services
3.1 Overview
Suppliers shall provide suitably qualified and experienced professionals to undertake roles across project management, commercial management, quantity surveying, and project controls / PMO functions.
Resources may be required to support:
• Individual capital projects
• Multi-project portfolios
• Programme and framework delivery
• Business-as-usual capital delivery support
Engagements may range from short-term tactical support to longer-term programme assignments.
4. Role Categories
The framework shall include, but not be limited to, the following role categories:
4.1 Project Management
• Project Manager
• Senior Project Manager
Typical responsibilities include:
• End-to-end project delivery across the project lifecycle
• Management of cost, schedule, quality, and risk
• Stakeholder and supply chain management
• Governance, reporting, and assurance
• Compliance with internal and regulatory requirements
4.2 Commercial & Quantity Surveying
• Quantity Surveyor
• Senior Quantity Surveyor
• Commercial Manager
• Senior Commercial Manager
Typical responsibilities include:
• Cost planning, forecasting, and financial control
• Contract administration (e.g. NEC forms)
• Change control and compensation events
• Commercial risk management
• Supply chain commercial performance and negotiation
• Claims mitigation and dispute avoidance
4.3 PMO, Planning & Project Controls
• PMO Manager
• Planning Manager / Scheduler / Project Controls Manager
Typical responsibilities include:
• Programme planning and scheduling (e.g. Primavera P6, MS Project)
• Integrated programme controls
• Progress reporting and performance analysis
• Risk, issue, and dependency management
• Portfolio-level governance and assurance support
5. Delivery Model
5.1 Call-Off Mechanism
The framework will operate on a call-off basis, allowing YWS to:
• Define role requirements, duration, and location at call-off stage
• Select suppliers via direct award or mini-competition
• Mobilise resources rapidly in response to programme needs
5.2 Flexibility
The framework must support:
• Variable assignment lengths
• Scalable resource deployment
• Blended teams across multiple suppliers
• Adjustment of role mix as the capital programme evolves
6. Capability and Competence Requirements
Suppliers must demonstrate the ability to provide resources with:
• Proven experience in construction, civil engineering, or water / utilities
• Knowledge of regulated infrastructure environments
• Familiarity with NEC contracts and collaborative delivery models
• Experience delivering on large or complex capital programmes
• Strong stakeholder and governance capability
Key personnel should typically demonstrate:
• Relevant Professional qualifications (e.g. RICS, APM, PMI)
• Appropriate security clearance where required
• Right to work in the UK
• Strong health, safety, and environmental awareness
7. Resource Management & Continuity
Suppliers shall:
• Maintain a live talent pool aligned to framework roles
• Provide succession planning for long-term assignments
• Ensure knowledge transfer where resources change
• Minimise disruption to live projects during resource transitions
8. Performance Management
YWS will monitor supplier performance against:
• Quality of resource provision
• Timeliness of mobilisation
• Delivery outcomes and stakeholder feedback
• Compliance with governance and reporting requirements
• Commercial performance and value for money
Poor performance may result in reduced call-offs or removal from the framework.
9. Commercial & Pricing Structure
• Suppliers shall submit role-based day rates by role category and seniority
• Rates shall be transparent and fixed for defined periods
• YWS reserves the right to benchmark rates during the framework term
• Rate cards must allow for:
o Inside / Outside IR35 considerations
o Location and assignment-based variations
10. Continuous Improvement & Adaptability
The framework shall support:
• Periodic review of role categories and skill requirements
• Addition or refinement of roles as programme needs evolve
• Continuous improvement initiatives
• Market testing to ensure competitiveness over time