Procure Plus (PP) is a social housing regeneration consortium based in the North West of England. PP has formed an alliance with Cumbria Housing Partners (CHP), Procure Plus Associates (PPAL) and Efficiency North(EN). This alliance is known collectively as Re:allies. Re:allies brings together expertise from across the North of England to deliver a highly efficiency approach to procurement and regeneration at a local level. Additional consortia may join the Re:allies alliance from time to time. Further background information can also be obtained by visiting www.re-allies.com.

PP is acting as contracting authority on behalf of participating customers, clients and members and is entering into a framework agreement with multiple organisations for the provision of construction and housing related consultancy services. The framework agreement will allow contracting authorities named and referred to within this notice to enter into underlying contracts for the range of consultancy services covered by the framework agreement. The services to be provided under this framework will be utilised by members and customers to define, compliment and add value to any existing and new projects undertaken through PP's existing and future framework agreements alongside standalone projects.

The framework agreement consists of 13 lots and they are as follows:

1. Energy assessment services;

2. Fire risk assessment services;

3. Employers agent;

4. Asbestos surveying;

5. Quantity surveying;

6. Architectural services;

7. Construction design management co-ordinator (CDMC);

8. Structural engineering services;

9. Mechanical and electrical services;

10. Stock condition and building surveyor services;

11. Geo-environmental services;

12. Sustainable and environmental developments;

13. Consultancy services relating to the construction of new buildings (multiple disciplines).

The framework agreement will be in place for a period of 48 months and will not be extended beyond this period, however contracts called-off under the framework agreement may, where appropriate, continue beyond the 4 year term of the framework.

Individual contracting authorities and organisations entitled to access the framework agreement will have the option to agree and award call off contracts at any stage during the term of the framework. The following contracting authorities and organisations will be entitled to agree and award call off contracts under the proposed framework agreement as and when required:

1. PP's members (both current and future). A list of PP's current members is set out in section VI.3 of this Notice;

2. CHP's members (both current and future). A list of CHP's current members is set out in section VI.3 of this Notice;

3. PPAL's members (both current and future). A list of PPAL's current members is set out in section VI.3 of this Notice;

4. The current and future members or any other member of the Re:allies alliance from time to time;

5. Any partner or customer of PP, CHP, PPAL, or other Re:allies members from time to time, which may include any social housing provider in the United Kingdom. Social housing provider for this purpose means any provider of social housing and includes registered housing providers (a list of these can be found by visiting www.homes and www.communities.co.uk), local authorities, local government ALMO's and unitary authorities.

A list of PP's current partners and customers is set out in section VI.3 of this Notice.

The contracting authorities referred to in paragraphs 1 to 5 above have requirements predominantly across the geographical areas of Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cumbria. However, those with stock in other areas of the UK may use this framework.

The contracting authorities referred to in paragraphs 1 to 5 above shall be under no obligation to use the framework agreement.

The framework agreement will be entered into by PP and the successful Supplier however the framework agreement may be novated from PP to Re:allies if and when Re:allies is incorporated.