FAQ’s

We strive to deliver high quality, sustainable homes that meet the current and future needs of our residents, through a compliant framework that encourages innovation, benefits from collaborative working and achieves efficiencies. We seek to offer this to the market place by enabling partners to:

• Achieve evidence of value for money outcomes which are benchmarked
• Access an efficient way to achieve best practice procurement and funding compliance
• Make sure all service providers perform to high standards
• Make sure due diligence is observed when managing their supply chains
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Maximise the opportunities we have to add social value to all of our work
• Collaborate with sector peers to share learning and experiences and work together
• Access to the secure ICN portal, with client and supplier areas showing all schemes and awards made through the framework; online forms for selection; profiles for all suppliers and clients; access to due diligence documentation; and access up to date standardised information, which includes:
• Employer’s Requirements for affordable housing and additional versions for apartments and modular delivery
• Contract Suite, including:
• Updated JCT 2016 Design and Build Contract amendments.
• Updated JCT 2016 Minor Works Contract amendments.
• Updated JCT 2016 Design and Build Contract.
• ICN Standard PCSA
• Fully updated suite of standard house types including types for modular delivery; and types covering Non NDSS and NDSS
• Design Guide including case studies for low rise, high rise and urban living schemes
• Service Brief and standard appointment letters for each lot
• Full set of KPIs
• Access to due diligence documentation

The framework will be operational from 1 August 2024 and will run for four years until 31 July 2028.

The framework has been tendered in accordance with Public Contract Regulations 2015.

Using the data from previous ICN frameworks, future development programme ambitions of clients, the geographical area of ICN and the additional lots introduced, we estimate this to be approx. £1.5bn for the four year period across all lots.

The ICN framework covers the North of England, from Cumbria and Northumberland in the north to Lincolnshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire in the south.

Innovation Chain North (ICN) geographically covers the North of England, from Cumbria and Northumberland in the north to Lincolnshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire in the south. The full lot structure can be found here

A robust process was followed to evaluate all bidders including model answers, dual marking and moderation for all questions. We received a substantial number of high quality bids. The bids were evaluated as follows:

Contractors:

Price 40%
Quality 50%
Social Value 10%

Professional Services: C1 – C7, C10 & C11

Price 40%
Quality 50%
Social Value 10%

Professional Services: C8 – C9

Price 30%
Quality 60%
Social Value 10%

Each contractor and consultant submitted a social value pledge as part of the tender process. For contractors this was per £1,000,000 contract value; for consultants this was per £10,000 fee income. An ICN social value tool has been developed and will be available on the portal. This tool will enable the client to see the social value pledge offered by the contractors and consultants, it will gross up the pledge to reflect the specific scheme value and the actions to deliver the pledge can then be adapted for individual projects to meet the needs of the client, the community and/or residents, whilst maintaining the delivery of the total value of the suppliers pledge.

No, the framework is closed to new consultants and contractors joining during the four year period of the framework.

Call off can either be through direct award or by mini competition. Direct award is based on the client’s unique requirements, so clients choose which consultant and/or contractor would be most suitable to deliver each project. Selection of consultants and contractors will be made with support from the Development Performance Manager and advice will be given on suitability, workload allocated through the framework and KPIs.

Benchmarking data is shared with clients and Employers Agents on the framework. This is provided on a £/sqm basis of schemes being procured through the framework. The data is shown on a lot by lot basis on also on a tendered v direct negotiation basis.

We also provide information to clients on average consultant fees across all lots.

A client is a registered housing provider, so either a housing association or local authority who would join the framework to “call off” the services and works of the consultants and contractors. This would also include any subsidiaries of the registered housing provider.

The process is very straightforward. You will enter into and Access Agreement with Great Places Housing Group, a copy of which can be provided upon request. It is a simple document that sets out the terms and conditions of joining the framework and also the service provided by us and what we expect from you as a client. Upon completion of the document you will receive an invoice for the joining fee and/or annual fee (dependant on which joining option you choose). You will also be given login details for the ICN portal where a full suite of documentation is available.

Clients can join at any time during the four year period of the framework. If a client joins part way through the four year period, then the fee will be pro-rated for the remaining term.

Prices are available on request. Please contact icn@greatplaces.org.uk for more information.

Joanne Whitehead (Development Performance Manager) – responsible for managing the framework

Nick Cumberland (Head of Programme) – responsible for senior leadership support

Nick Gornall (Director of Development) – responsible director