Two-Stage Procurement 'Protects Public Sector Construction'

Single-stage procurement models with fixed outcomes and tight budgets can put the original design intent of public construction projects at risk, a leading procurement professional says.

Such an approach “can lead to the use of lower-quality materials that can compromise both quality and safety”, says Adam Sanford, who is Operations Lead at Southern Construction Framework, a collaboration between UK local authorities Hampshire County Council and Devon County Council.

Sanford was writing for the Chartered Institute of Building, a global organisation that promotes building and construction practices. 

He highlights the importance of getting budgets right from the start, which is especially critical when seeking to meet building safety regulations, such as those set out in the UK’s Building Safety Act, he stresses.

"The Building Safety Act places greater responsibilities on designers to ensure compliance with regulations," Sanford says. He explains that this makes accurate budgeting more critical than ever.

Sanford reveals that single-stage procurement models with fixed outcomes and tight budgets can put the original design intent at risk. This approach, he says, “may force the use of lower-quality materials, potentially compromising both quality and safety”.

To address these issues, Sanford advocates for a two-stage procurement model, which he explains “opens lines of communication and reduces the impact of competitive tension on specification and materials decisions”.

Benefits of two-stage construction procurement

The two-stage open book model, according to Sanford, allows for direct engagement with the supply chain during early-stage decisions, and helps identify and mitigate risks in both design and cost planning at an earlier stage.

"In two-stage procurement, all areas of risk are pointed out during the pre-construction phase," Sanford says. He adds that this allows clients to make informed decisions to ensure quality.

Sanford cites the University of Hertfordshire's Spectra building as an example of successful two-stage procurement. Emma Curtis, Area Director at Morgan Sindall – a leading London-based British Construction and Regeneration group – oversaw the project.

Curtis reports that the two-stage process allowed the company to bring in its supply chain early, enabling it to source materials with appropriate fire rating certification and liaise effectively with fire consultants and building control officers.

Sustainability and long-term planning

The two-stage open book process also facilitated collaboration on sustainability initiatives, Sanford points out, adding that this is particularly important for higher education institutions working towards net-zero targets.

He emphasises the importance of understanding a building's operational use from the outset: "With buildings being long-term assets and net zero targets at the forefront of clients' minds, it has never been more important to consider long-term operational use."

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