Procurement Blogs | NPA | Public Sector Procurement

01.06.2023 by Adil Kotia

Using Modern Methods of Construction to build new homes – quickly

Modern methods of construction (MMC) are a top priority for the UK Government, as they seek to address the housing crisis by building new homes quickly and efficiently. MMC involved the creation of building components in a factory, which are then transported to the construction site and assembled, offering several advantages over the traditional on-site building methods.

02.05.2023 by Farah Malik

Damp and Mold and Decarbonising Homes

When moisture laden air comes into contact with a cold surface, condensation occurs. When there is condensation on a cold surface for an extended period, it results in mold. In most cases, this happens in kitchens or bathrooms and on external walls in other parts of a home if there are little or no insulation, i.e. cold surfaces.

20.03.2023 by Garland UK

Garland UK Report Reveals Challenges Faced by Commercial Roofing Industry

Garland UK has published its first benchmarking report on the commercial roofing industry in collaboration with some of the UK’s leading experts. The report reveals the main challenges commercial landlords and estates teams face with their roofing assets and shares expert advice, strategies and considerations to overcome them.

31.01.2023 by Farah Malik

Are you preparing to be awarded the SHDF? If so, what next?

All public sector organisations who applied for the social housing decarbonisation scheme will find out if they have been awarded the grant between the end of February and the start of March 2023. The gov.uk website states that grant funding agreements must be signed with successful lead applicants and projects starting in March.

06.01.2023 by Global HSE Group

The Golden Thread

Building compliance is being highlighted more than ever as a consequence of fire doorset legislation amendments. This legislation is purposed to ensure the safety of individuals both in and around the building, following guidance from the Grenfell fire. As of 23^rd January 2023, it will be a legal requirement to ensure all appropriate steps are taken to reduce the risk of fire. Upon failure to comply to the legislation, the responsible persons will be penalised both legally and financially. This amendment will ensure the correct individual is held accountable for failing to ensure fire safety in the infrastructure. The legislation in Approved Document B covers social buildings, and those over 11m in height.

12.12.2022 by Clive Feeney, Interim Group Managing Director at LHC

Construction pipeline security: how public sector frameworks offer shelter from recession

Faced with a predicted 38% drop in new housing starts over the next two years. Public sector frameworks offer shelter from recession. They traditionally operate on four-year cycles, and present better industry access and cost consistency for the public sector. Furthermore for contractors and suppliers, they bring more predictable pipelines of work.

15.11.2022 by Dean Fazackerley, Head of Technical Procurement

Procuring for Building Regulations Part L – why more energy efficient buildings mean a change in approach

Dean Fazackerley, gives an overview of why public sector organisations must approach homes construction procurement and project management together to comply with updated Building Regulations Part L.

07.11.2022 by Dean Fazackerley, Head of Technical Procurement

Gold Standard 12 months on: are we moving towards truly collaborative procurement in construction?

Almost a year since the release of ‘Constructing the Gold Standard’ – the independent review of public sector construction frameworks – has the sector got better at collaborative procurement? Framework provider LHC’s head of technical procurement Dean Fazackerley assesses progress.

31.10.2022 by Clive Feeney, Interim Group Managing Director at LHC

Stability and a long-term approach essential to Net Zero

As a not-for-profit public sector construction framework provider with regional business hubs, LHC sees many low carbon, built environment projects in action at a local level. The outcomes of these projects are bringing significant benefits for local authorities and social housing providers in procuring low energy, built environment solutions such as modern methods of construction (MMC) new builds and energy efficiency retrofit.

19.10.2022 by GEP Environmental

Decoding the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) was launched by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and offers £1 billion of grant funding to public sector bodies for capital energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects. The purpose of this programme is to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and install low carbon heating measures in line with the Government’s target of reaching Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050.