Raft of Scottish SMEs awarded onto £18m a year demolition contract

The second-generation of our framework for demolition designed to help contracting authorities deliver planned demolitions and deconstruction as part of regeneration and improvement work went live on 1 August. 

Quick response to dangerous structures, including bridges or monuments with emergency demolitions or safeguarding with a three hour or less response time has also been built into the framework after detailed research and discussion with contracting authorities. 

Twenty five UK suppliers have been awarded onto the framework, committing to recycling up to 95% of materials. The Scottish Government’s declared climate emergency was a key element when the redesign of the framework was taking place.

Every supplier on the framework pays the Real Living Wage, which was a significant consideration for us when evaluating the bids.

A key change to this framework will enable councils and housing associations to make direct awards for any planned demolition up to £50k. This value threshold has been purposefully synchronised with a large proportion of councils’ internal financial regulations.

The emergency demolitions element, which also lets councils award directly to contractors, has secured a three-hour (or less) response time and substantial price stability.

The framework will also help councils and housing associations source planned demolitions via mini competitions that will allow them to drive competitive pricing and tailored work packages through the framework.

The new framework is also good for local business with 24 of the 25 suppliers small to medium enterprises and 23 of the 25 based in Scotland.

Councillor John Shaw, Convener of Scotland Excel, said: “The renewal of our Demolition and Deconstruction Works contract comes at an important time for Scotland’s construction sector. Several of our members have indicated that affordable house building will be one of their priorities as we move out of Covid-19 lockdown and this framework will support them to clear vital land to build new vibrant communities.

“Our demolition contract is the only national framework of its kind to offer demolition and deconstruction services to all 32 councils. It will give them the tools to quickly and efficiently source work from specialist contractors that have gone through a detailed tender process.

“As well as securing the competitive rates – additional value can be driven through mini competitions for planned works that will ensure councils get competitive prices, quick turnaround, and tailored work packages to meet the specific needs of each scheduled demolition programme.”

Councillor Shaw added: “I welcome the renewal of this national framework. It will help Scottish councils and housing associations get the best value for money when responding to emergency situations where dangerous buildings have to be demolished quickly, and in driving forward improvement programmes for communities where scheduled demolitions are needed. It will bring value for money, has sustainability at its core and is good for business.”

The framework is expected to account for up to £18m worth of demolition work a year as councils and housing associations deliver a range of works throughout their communities.