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Last month, we launched our Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy Services (MDC1) Framework, developed to offer an efficient, value for money procurement route for local authorities, registered social landlords, councils, boards, and trusts, and other public sector bodies.

Available to customers based across the North, Midlands and South East, the framework offers you access to consultants across a range of specialisms including architects, building surveyors, quantity surveyors and structural engineers. It is divided into 12 workstreams as follows:

• Workstream 1: Architecture (excluding London)
• Workstream 2: Building Services Engineers
• Workstream 3: Building Surveyors
• Workstream 4: Clerk of Works
• Workstream 5: Quantity Surveyors
• Workstream 6: Employers Agents
• Workstream 7: Planning Consultants
• Workstream 8: Principal Designers
• Workstream 9: Project Managers
• Workstream 10: Structural Engineers
• Workstream 11: Civil Engineers
• Workstream 12: Multi-discipline services (covers all the above)

From micro-SMEs to larger organisations

Building on the success of LHC’s Architect Design Services (ADS1.1) framework, MDC1 expands to include much broader scope of consultants and services.

As with our ADS1.1 framework, we wanted to open the framework up to micro-SMEs as well as bigger names in the consultancy arena, to provide much more diversity in each lot and encourage more collaboration.

Moreover, we have extended the framework term to six years from the usual four, as a result of covid related delays to construction schemes, but this also makes the framework process fairer and more sustainable for SMEs, for whom bidding costs can be prohibitive.

Diverse and local talent

We listened to our customers when you said you wanted access to more local and diverse talent, as well as the opportunity to work with consultants who are agile and responsive to your needs.

In order to achieve this – we worked hard appoint a broader set of companies onto the framework as outlined below:

• We reached out to the market using minority networks and advertising and also offered support to new bidders.
• Financial assessment of bidders was done on a proportionate basis; we didn’t compare a micro-SME to an established, multi-million pound business.
• We extended the framework term to six years.
• We allowed companies to be either ISO certified, working towards it or an equivalent, to ensure this didn’t preclude micro-SMEs from being appointed.
• We removed value bands from the framework to ensure flexibility for clients and to encourage collaborative bids.
• We used EDI and case studies to help with the shortlisting process.
• We evaluated social value from the bidder’s ability to deliver on key KPIs, such as staff hours spent on unpaid advocacy work to reduce inequality and staff hours spent on school/college visits for those under-represented in the industry.

Overall, our evaluation methodology for companies to be appointed to the MDC1 framework was 70% based on quality and 30% based on price.

Transparency and collaboration

The MDC1 framework was designed to be collaborative from the outset. Value bands have been removed giving full visibility of work to any company within a discipline, and the ability to apply for any call-off. The transparency and ethos of the framework encourages micro-SMEs to collaborate or partner with larger companies to bid, which in turn encourages growth through the six-year life of the framework, making it more sustainable in the long term.

A framework for every project

Through the MDC1 framework, we aim to provide you with access to higher service standards and increased innovation through companies of varying sizes. We also aim to provide greater customer service by focusing on collaboration and social value.

The MDC1 framework is suitable for public sector refurbishment and new build projects of all sizes, it will enable you to access pre-approved suppliers to achieve who can work across a range of buildings including:

• Publicly funded schools, universities, and colleges
• NHS healthcare buildings
• Fire, ambulance, and police stations
• Public offices
• Community buildings
• Residential properties (when part of a mixed-use development)
• Student accommodation
• Commercial to residential conversions
• Other public buildings and associated works.

Here to support you

Our Client Support Managers and Technical Managers are always on hand to provide guidance and support, whatever questions you may have.

To find out more about the MDC1 framework and how we can help you, get in touch here.

View Framework