About us

We solve construction procurement problems through our suite of Construction Frameworks.

The NWCH vision:

“Transforming project delivery and reshaping best practice in construction procurement”

The Frameworks are successful because lowest price tendering is replaced with long-term relationships between clients, professionals and contractors, formed around shared objectives and common values.

Collaborative working at its best! The result is less waste, less duplication, local engagement and greater efficiency & all generating better value for money.

NWCH Frameworks:

High Value £8m+

2023/S 000-000077

Medium Value £3m-£8m

2023/S 000-037461

Low Value £1m-£4m

EU REF No. 2020/S 018-038573

Small Works £2k – £1m

2024/S 000-009589

We also offer
one consultancy framework:

NWCH Consult 2024 – 2028

2024/S 000-026799

The NWCH was established in 2009 in response to Central Government’s drive to improve efficiencies within the public sector.

It is led by a Board comprising of representatives from public sector organisations across the North West. The legal entity behind NWCH is Manchester City Council.

Benefits

  • FLEXIBLE
    The type of contract can be selected by the client so long as it is partnering and collaborative; procurement can take place from RIBA Stage 0 through to Stage 4, according to the needs of the project.
  • DEVELOPED BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR
    The frameworks have been developed and revised (through comprehensive consultation) by public sector organisations who understand the needs of their peers.
  • VALUE FOR MONEY
    A rigorous selection process to appoint Constructor Partners to the frameworks was undertaken which included both price and quality. Open book accounting principles enable client commercial managers to ensure that competitive best value rates are obtained in all instances.
  • QUICK AND EFFICIENT PROCESS
    A rigorous pre-qualification process already undertaken saves the client time and effort. Furthermore, this enables the appointment of a contractor in a minimum of six weeks if the programme is demanding.
  • TRIED AND TESTED
    say 4 “The first framework became active in 2010, followed shortly after by two more. All four frameworks have now been re-procured. The percentage of repeat clients is very high.
  • NO FEE
    The client pays no direct fee to use the re-procured frameworks. The Framework Management Fee is now recovered from the Constructor Partner through their competitively tendered overheads.

Clients

We invite clients to regular meetings to discuss a range of topics and encourage feedback. Our constructor partners lead on a number of Special Interest Groups all of which are focussed on improving performance and services.

Our client base has developed over the lifetime of the frameworks and now includes Local Authorities, Local Government, Blue Light Authorities, Universities and Colleges, NHS Foundation Trusts, Housing Trusts, Transport Boards, Free Schools and Academies.

We understand the importance of peer recommendation, and refer new clients to existing clients if requested.