Outcomes-based procurement
Constructing the Gold Standard through SCAPE frameworks
Our suite of consultancy, civil engineering, construction and utilities frameworks for England, Wales and Northern Ireland is Gold Standard verified.
This demonstrates that our approach to procurement, performance management and framework operation is compliant and aligned with Central Government policy set out in the Construction Playbook and endorsed by the Cabinet Office.
SCAPE and the Gold Standard
We are proud that on 1st August 2024, every SCAPE framework achieved Gold Standard verification.
Our team is committed to maintaining this prestigious achievement and continuing to apply the principles of Constructing the Gold Standard.
As a quality mark, achieving The Gold Standard enables us to demonstrate the value of our ongoing work to deliver continuous improvement and shared learning for our local authority clients.
Our successful verification included reference to a number of collaborative initiatives that we are involved in, including:
- Our programme of strategic projects and continuous improvement in our frameworks
This is recognised as highly progressive and our collaborative model encourages shared improvement across our contractors. We facilitate collaborative partnerships that are at the forefront of the agendas for ethical labour, social value and reducing carbon and waste in construction. - Our involvement as a long-standing member of the National Association of Construction Frameworks (NACF)
The NACF is a collaborative partnership between public sector framework organisations which predates both the Gold Standard and the Construction Playbook, but whose joining requirements are closely aligned to their key recommendations. The NACF community, which SCAPE is a part of, has pioneered much of the good practice which has been adopted in the Gold Standard, and we continue to design our frameworks in partnership with our public sector colleagues. - Our membership of Constructing Excellence
Constructing Excellence, the organisation which is managing the Gold Standard verification process, provides a highly reputable space for members to share good practice and innovation. We have played a role in this and a number of other collaborative forums dedicated to driving improvement and raising the standards in construction, including the UK Green Building Council and Build UK.
We are delighted that our suite of consultancy, civil engineering, construction and utilities frameworks across the UK are Gold Standard verified, demonstrating our steadfast commitment to maintaining the highest standards for compliant, collaborative and responsible procurement.
Mark Robinson
SCAPE Group Chief Executive
What is Constructing the Gold Standard?
Constructing the Gold Standard, or the Gold Standard, is a prestigious verification scheme that ensures public procurement frameworks achieve and improve upon the highest standards of operation and delivery.
The scheme is managed by Constructing Excellence, and was developed by Professor David Mosey CBE, following recommendations in “An Independent Review of Public Sector Construction Frameworks” - a review that was commissioned by the Cabinet Office to ensure that government bodies and local authorities are using compliant, collaborative frameworks that drive value for money, efficiency and socioeconomic outcomes.
The Gold Standard forms a key part of construction procurement policy, building on the principles of the Construction Playbook and celebrating the framework providers that have embedded its best practice into their approach.
Gold Standard frameworks demonstrate a much greater weighting on quality than cost. They advocate for addressing social value and sustainability, and embracing safer, smarter, digitised, and more collaborative project delivery - many of the principles and practices that we have embedded into our approach to framework procurement and management for over a decade.
Improving public procurement
Why the Gold Standard is important for public sector procurement
Improving value, reducing risk and achieving strong socioeconomic outcomes through compliant, transparent frameworks.
The Gold Standard consists of 24 recommendations designed to drive best practice and consistency through public sector framework processes, contracting and management approaches.
Each recommendation is accompanied by a set of detailed actions to support its practical delivery and implementation.
The recommendations have been made to improve outcomes in areas such as building safety and information, risk management, collaborative delivery, sustainability and supply chain engagement.
Gold Standard frameworks give public sector organisations greater clarity on how long-term opportunities that are needed for enhanced value, efficiency and community legacy are generated, and greater certainty around the quality of outcomes delivered through frameworks.
For supply chain partners and local SMEs, they provide greater certainty of pipelines, encouraging transparency of programmes of work and maximising opportunities for engagement - with Early Supply Chain Involvement (ESI) strongly advocated for throughout.
Building on the foundations of existing good practice, such as the attributes of the National Association of Construction Frameworks (NACF) membership, The Gold Standard is the first watermark for the procurement and management of frameworks.
Benefits of Gold Standard frameworks
Deliver higher standards of building safety and efficiency
Facilitate collaborative delivery through early contractor involvement
Create long-term value and socioeconomic benefits for your community
Encourage continuous improvement and collaboration
Unlock cleaner, greener construction approaches and accelerate decarbonisation
Drive innovation and the use of digital technology
Provide reassurance of the highest level of compliance and transparency
Accelerate your procurement through our Gold Standard verified frameworks
Learn how we can help you deliver built environment projects that deliver safer, greener and more efficient outcomes aligned with government policy and best practice.