ACA transfers leading collaborative contracts to Thomas Telford, publisher of NEC4

The Association of Consultant Architects (ACA), renowned for pioneering collaborative construction contracts for over 25 years, has announced the transfer of its industry-leading Framework Alliance Contract (FAC-1) and the Term Alliance Contract (TAC-1), to Thomas Telford Ltd the commercial arm of the Institution of Civil Engineers and developer of the NEC Contract suite.

This strategic move brings together the UK’s most influential collaborative construction contracts under one trusted organisation, enhancing accessibility, consistency, and industry-wide impact.

The Framework Alliance Contract (FAC-1), already strongly endorsed by the UK Government’s Construction Playbook, and the Term Alliance Contract (TAC-1) have collectively supported construction programmes worth over £45 billion worldwide achieving measured improvements in economic, social and environmental value. Their integration with the NEC suite under a single publishing platform consolidates leadership in collaborative procurement and project delivery.

Practitioners will now benefit from:

  • A single source for the full range of major collaborative contracts: NEC4, FAC-1, and TAC-1
  • A unified drafting philosophy, ensuring consistency across contract use
  • Integrated guidance and training, supporting effective implementation across projects

Speaking on the announcement Patrick Inglis, President of the Association of Consultant Architects, the national professional body representing architects in private practice, says “This agreement marks a new chapter for collaborative construction. By aligning FAC-1 and TAC-1 with NEC under Thomas Telford’s stewardship, we are ensuring these contracts continue to evolve, support innovation, and deliver value across the built environment. The timing could not be better as it allows the ACA to add resources to promoting its suite of architect appointments and supporting ACA members through initiatives such as the ACA Principal Designer Register. The ACA will continue to advocate for collaboration and innovation across the sector, while Thomas Telford takes the lead in publication, dissemination, and future development of the contracts.”

King’s College Emeritus Professor David Mosey CBE FICE – lead author of FAC-1 and TAC-1 – joins the NEC4 Contract Board, deepening the pool of alliance expertise available to users. “I am delighted that Thomas Telford Limited and the Association of Consultant Architects are collaborating to offer FAC-1 and TAC-1 to a wider client group as part of the NEC family of contracts. I look forward to supporting this initiative” he said.

FAC-1 and TAC-1 are now available for purchase alongside the existing suite of NEC contracts. Visit www.neccontract.com/products/contracts/fac-1-tac-1/alliance-contracts

To view the joint guidance on the use of NEC contracts with FAC-1 visit www.neccontract.com/news/fac1-guidance