CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE AND KCL LAUNCH ‘GOLD STANDARD’ TO IMPROVE VALUE AND ACHIEVE NET ZERO IN CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT
On 1st November 2023 Constructing Excellence, in collaboration with Kings College London, is launching an independent verification scheme called ‘Constructing the Gold Standard’, to ensure that Government and the wider public sector adopt urgent recommendations for improved value, reduced risks and achievement of net zero on all their construction projects.
‘Constructing the Gold Standard’ outlines an integrated and collaborative approach to framework procurement, contracting and management. The Government has already started implementing all its recommendations and the Gold Standard was endorsed in the September 2022 update of the ‘Construction Playbook’.
In 2021, Professor David Mosey CBE was asked by Cabinet Office to carry out an Independent Review of Public Sector Construction Frameworks. He consulted 120 organisations and ‘Constructing the Gold Standard’ is the result of his work.
Professor Mosey found that over 2,000 public sector construction frameworks are currently active, some of which deliver improved value and enable excellent project outcomes, while many others are less ambitious and less successful. ‘Constructing the Gold Standard’ sets out 24 recommendations to help clients identify what questions they should ask when creating and implementing construction frameworks and alliances, what answers they should expect and guidance on how they can make informed decisions.
The Constructing Excellence verification scheme is an objective system for recognising and supporting those framework providers and clients who adopt Gold Standard frameworks, framework contracts and action plans. Seven clients and framework providers are currently piloting the scheme – Ministry of Justice, Environment Agency, SCAPE, CHIC, LHC, Places for People and Crown Commercial Service. The scheme verifies the claims made by framework providers and clients who procure their own frameworks and alliances. It also provides a measure of quality for clients who use frameworks and for suppliers who bid for frameworks.
Constructing Excellence has established a Task Group drawn framework providers, clients, advisers, suppliers and government stakeholders to explore how to improve value, reduce risk and achieve net zero through Gold Standard construction frameworks and framework alliances. The governance of Constructing the Gold Standard Verification resides with the Task Group.
All public sector providers of construction frameworks and all public sector clients who procure their own frameworks and alliances are eligible to apply to the scheme. A framework or framework alliance creates a strategic arrangement with suppliers governing multiple project contracts.
Professor David Mosey CBE, King’s College London, said:
In order for public sector construction to make best use of limited funds, to deliver safe and high-quality outcomes and to tackle the climate crisis, all clients and supply chain members should adopt the Gold Standard recommendations. Integrated framework alliance contracts, the application of digital information management and the implementation of urgent action plans under existing long term contracts are among the recommendations that the construction sector and its clients should implement to achieve the Gold Standard.
Alison Nicholl at Constructing Excellence, said:
Constructing Excellence have long been advocates for better procurement as an enabler of better outcomes. We are delighted to be working with Professor Mosey on supporting the implementation of the Gold Standard and helping drive continuous improvements in construction frameworks.
About Kings College
King’s College London is one of the two founding colleges of the University of London and is one of the oldest university-level institutions in England. King’s is the fifth-largest university in the United Kingdom and the fourth-most popular university in the UK by volume of applications. King’s is a member of academic organisations including the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the European University Association and the Russell Group.
About Constructing Excellence
Constructing Excellence is a platform from which to stimulate, debate and drive much needed change in the Construction sector. Our thought leading members from the entire supply chain – clients, industry and users – share a vision for change through innovation and collaboration. At Constructing Excellence, we believe that industry improvement will be driven by all sectors sharing, learning, working together and driving innovation to deliver a demonstrably better built environment.
Conference
Constructing Excellence is hosting its Annual Conference on Wednesday 24th January 2024 at BMA House. The Conference brings together key decision makers from across the Constructing Excellence movement and wider construction industry to explore the key issues facing the sector and how they relate to the Constructing Excellence Mission and Vision. More information can be found here.
