‘Constructing the Gold Standard’ sets out an integrated and collaborative approach to framework procurement, contract­ing and management. It is endorsed by public sector clients and by 50 industry bodies in the September 2022 update of the ‘Construction Playbook’.

In 2021, Professor David Mosey CBE was asked by the Cabinet Office to carry out an Independent Review of Public Sector Construction Frameworks. He consulted 120 organisa­tions and ‘Constructing the Gold Standard’ is the result of his work. It sets out 24 recommendations to help clients and industry identify what questions they should ask when creat­ing and implementing construction frameworks and alliances, what answers they should expect and how they can make informed decisions.

The Constructing Excellence Gold Standard Verification Scheme was launched in November 2023 in partnership with King’s College London. It is an objective system for recognis­ing and supporting framework providers and clients who adopt Gold Standard practices and contracts.

The scheme assesses the claims made by framework providers and by clients who procure their own frameworks, and it provides a measure of quality for clients and industry organisations who use and bid for construction frameworks.

CCS is the first of its public sector peers to achieve Gold Standard Verification procurement

How will public sector clients and supply chains benefit from Crown Commercial Service being the first to achieve Full Verification under ‘Constructing the Gold Standard’? Here are 10 examples:

  1. The 24 Gold Standard recommendations and case studies help all public sector clients and their supply chains to improve value and to reduce risks.
  2. The Gold Standard describes contractual systems that con­vert Net Zero objectives into agreed actions and timetables.
  3. The Gold Standard recommendations are integrated with building safety guidance that is designed to avoid another Grenfell Tower disaster.
  4. Pipelines of work under Gold Standard frameworks are linked to contractual systems for sharing information to avoid the ‘Groundhog Day’ of lost learning.
  5. Gold Standard framework alliance contracts integrate dif­ferent commercial interests through practical systems that avoid the collaborative ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of idealistic debate, cynical criticism and unrealised good intentions.
  6. The Gold Standard supports a holistic approach to frame­works and call-offs through the ‘Four I’s’ of intention, infor­mation, integration and incentivisation.
  7. Proportionate and consistent Gold Standard evaluation of framework and call-off proposals avoids the ‘race to the bot­tom’ of uninformed low-ball prices.
  8. Gold Standard early supply chain involvement and prompt payment ensure maximum tier 1, 2, 3 supply chain contribu­tions to innovation and social value.
  9. Gold Standard framework alliance contracts ensure joint risk management through strategic systems for early warning and dispute avoidance.
  10. The Gold Standard recommendations are endorsed by Cabinet Office and by the 50 industry bodies who signed the ‘Construction Playbook’.

Gold Standard verification is a robust process led by an Independent Verifier and supported by a Constructing Excellence Task Group. Other applicants are expected to achieve Full Verification in the near future.

“I’m delighted that CCS’s Construction frameworks have achieved Gold Standard status. Our frameworks are designed to facilitate a real shift change in how construction require­ments are procured, increasing supply chain collaboration, boosting innovation, supporting carbon net zero targets, and focusing just as strongly on building safety. This accreditation demonstrates how we’re continuously improving our service for customers. It isn’t just about saving them time and money. It’s about maximising their estates to build a better future for the communities they serve.”

John Welch FRICS, Commercial Director at Crown Commercial Service.

“The Gold Standard features of the Crown Commercial Service frameworks and alliances, supported by their innova­tive contracts, have helped clients such as Ministry of Justice and Defence Infrastructure Organisation to achieve impres­sive efficiencies, innovations and net zero commitments. Their Gold Standard practices and contracts have also ensured new business opportunities and fair treatment for tier 1 and tier 2 supply chain members.”

Professor David Mosey CBE, King’s College London.

Jane Goddard, deputy CEO and chief marketing officer at BRE, said:

“Better procurement is crucial to enable the con­struction supply chain to effectively deliver a sustainable built environment and meet our climate goals. It’s great to see Crown Commercial Service demonstrating its leadership in this space through the independent Constructing Excellence scheme and driving best practice across the procuring depart­ments. We look forward to verifying many more framework providers through the scheme in the coming months.”

‘Constructing the Gold Standard’ can be accessed here.