Academies in local authorities that have yet to be prioritised for inclusion in BSF, or where the Local Education Partnership (LEP) will not be established in time to meet the Academy delivery targets, will be delivered using the National Framework. The Framework, which was launched in January 2007, can be used to design and build:

• single school projects
• grouped school projects to be procured all at once ('bundled schemes'), and
• grouped school projects to be procured in more than one phase ('batched schemes').

The six National Framework partners are listed below, in alphabetical order. Each contractor has identified a regional supply chain for each of four regions (North, Midlands, South West and South East & London). This supply chain includes a national architect partner that will be responsible for ensuring that school designs produced by the regional teams benefit from synergies and learnings arising out of the significant body of experience developing through the BSF and the Academies programmes.

• Balfour Beatty
• Carillion
• Kier
• Laing O'Rourke
• Skanska
• Willmott Dixon

Preparing for an Academy Project

To assist framework users through the procurement process standard documentation has been developed, based on best practice methods.

Framework users will need to appoint a Project Manager and Technical Adviser to undertake the day-to-day running of the project.

This appointment can be made via a number of routes including the PfS Programme and Project Management Adviser Framework and/or the PfS Technical Adviser Framework.

Outline Business Case

The framework user will prepare an Outline Business Case (OBC) which will be approved by PfS and the decision endorsed by the DCSF.

The OBC sets out the options that have been considered for the Scheme(s) and also recommends a preferred option for the Scheme(s) which has been costed and is within the funding envelope.

It is expected that this stage should take between 12 and 16 weeks.

Initial Engagement and Short-listing

The framework user will invite all the framework partners to take part in the Local Competition. A Preliminary Invitation to Tender (PITT) will be issued with this invitation. The purpose of the PITT will be to select a short list of two framework partners.

It is expected that this stage should take no more than 4 weeks.

ITT and Evaluation

The two shortlisted framework partners will develop their bids. The Scheme(s) will be developed in line with available funds and the framework partners pricing schedule. The framework user will evaluate the tenders and select a Preferred Bidder.

It is expected that this stage should take between 16 and 20 weeks.

Final Business Case and Contract Award

The framework user and the Preferred Bidder finalise designs and seek all necessary consents. The framework user will complete a Final Business Case (FBC) which is approved by PfS and submitted to DCSF for endorsement. Once the FBC is approved, the contract can be awarded.

It is expected that this stage should take 16 weeks.

The Academy Trust will enter into a Development Agreement with the local authority. The Development Agreement will enable a local authority to facilitate delivery of new and/or modernised school facilities designed to meet the requirements of the Academy. The Development Agreement must be entered into before Contract Award.