The Housing Associations wish to establish a Framework of suitably qualified and experienced Architects, QSs, Structural Engineers and Building Surveyors.

In 2016 the Scottish Government pledged 3 000 000 000 GBP towards the delivery of 50 000 new homes by 2021, 35 000 of which are to be for the social rented sector. The Housing Associations have active development programmes, with aspirations to develop up to 1 200 properties over the next 5 years to contribute to the delivery of the 50 000 homes target. Around half of these 1 200 properties will have incumbent design team consultants and are outwith the scope of this Framework.

The Housing Associations wish to procure the services of design team consultants who can assist them in providing thoughtfully designed, sustainable, high quality homes with low maintenance requirements over their lifetime.

Having the framework in place will allow the Housing Associations to respond quickly to opportunities to develop, whether that be through the traditional route of purchasing land and developing it, or through partnership working with house-builders or private developers.

The QS work will mostly relate to planned / cyclical maintenance programmes (kitchen and bathroom replacements, window replacements, heating upgrades, roof and render works etc.), assistance with tendering and administering works contracts, and minor works such as disabled adaptations, including schedules of work and planning documentation.

Structural Engineers will assist principally assist with structural issues, drainage issues or civil works (road surfacing etc) arising in existing properties as well as any relevant matters pertaining to new housing.

Building Surveyors will principally be required to carry out condition surveys of existing properties, assist with major insurance related projects (fire damage, flood damage etc — preparation of schedules of work and undertaking minor works tendering) and prepare dilapidation surveys etc.