Procurement route - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 06:18, 14 August 2026

2026-08-14T06:18:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:18, 14 August 2026
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	* Management contracting 1%		* Management contracting 1%

−	~~For more information see~~: ~~What is~~ the ~~most common procurement route?~~	+	More recent figures suggest design and build's share has continued to grow since that survey: Ryder Levett Bucknall's (RLB) Procurement Trends Report 2024 found that 67% of projects now use design and build forms of contract, the highest proportion recorded since RLB's survey began.

−	~~A range of possible procurement routes, and short descriptions of them are presented below, along with links to~~ more ~~detailed~~ information.	+	For more information see: What is the most common procurement route?

	= What different types of procurement route are available? =		= What different types of procurement route are available? =
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	== Admeasurement contract ==		== Admeasurement contract ==

−	Admeasurement contracts are commonly used on civil engineering projects. Rates are provided in the ~~contractor’s~~ tender, either as part of the priced bill of quantities, or within a schedule of rates. Then the actual quantities of work carried out are measured and the rates are applied to those quantities. As a result, the quantities paid for may vary from the original estimate.	+	Admeasurement contracts are commonly used on civil engineering projects. Rates are provided in the contractor's tender, either as part of the priced bill of quantities, or within a schedule of rates. Then the actual quantities of work carried out are measured and the rates are applied to those quantities. As a result, the quantities paid for may vary from the original estimate.

	See Admeasurement contract for more information.		See Admeasurement contract for more information.
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	Variations include: Design Build Operate (DBO), Build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) or Build Operate Transfer (BOT) and Renovate, Operate, Transfer (ROT)		Variations include: Design Build Operate (DBO), Build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) or Build Operate Transfer (BOT) and Renovate, Operate, Transfer (ROT)

−	For more information see ~~[[Design_build_operate_(DBO)\|~~Design build operate (DBO)]], ~~[[Build,_own,_operate_and_transfer_(BOOT)\|~~Build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT)]] and ~~[[Build_operate_transfer_BOT\|~~Build operate transfer BOT]].	+	For more information see Design build operate (DBO), Build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) and Build operate transfer BOT.

−	An example of a design build finance and operate procurement route is Public Private Partnership (PPP), the most common form of which is the Private Finance Initiative (PFI).	+	An example of a design build finance and operate procurement route is Public Private Partnership (PPP), the most common form of which is the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). PFI, and its successor PF2, are no longer used for new public projects in the UK, having been discontinued in 2018 following concerns over value for money, although similar structures continue to be used in some other sectors and internationally.

	For more information see: Design Build Finance and Operate, PFI and PPP, Design Build Finance Transfer (DBFT), Design, build, finance, maintain DBFM, Design Build Finance Operate Maintain DBFOM and Design construct manage finance DCMF.		For more information see: Design Build Finance and Operate, PFI and PPP, Design Build Finance Transfer (DBFT), Design, build, finance, maintain DBFM, Design Build Finance Operate Maintain DBFOM and Design construct manage finance DCMF.
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	== Guaranteed maximum price ==		== Guaranteed maximum price ==

−	A guaranteed maximum price (GMP) is a form of agreement with a contractor in which it is agreed that the contract sum will not exceed an specified maximum. Typically this is a mechanism used on design and build contracts where the contractor has responsibility for completing the ~~client’s~~ design and for carrying out the construction works, so they are in a good position to control costs.	+	A guaranteed maximum price (GMP) is a form of agreement with a contractor in which it is agreed that the contract sum will not exceed an specified maximum. Typically this is a mechanism used on design and build contracts where the contractor has responsibility for completing the client's design and for carrying out the construction works, so they are in a good position to control costs.

	For more information see: Guaranteed maximum price.		For more information see: Guaranteed maximum price.
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	== Lump sum contract ==		== Lump sum contract ==

−	A lump sum contract is the traditional means of procuring construction, and still the most common form of construction ~~contract~~. Under a lump sum contract, a single ~~‘lump sum’~~ price for all of the works is agreed before the works begin. It is generally appropriate where the project is already well defined when tenders are sought and changes are unlikely. A lump sum contract is not a fixed price. There is more certainty over the final cost, but there are still mechanisms that allow the contract sum to change.	+	A lump sum contract is the traditional means of procuring construction, and still the most common form of construction contracts. Under a lump sum contract, a single 'lump sum' price for all of the works is agreed before the works begin. It is generally appropriate where the project is already well defined when tenders are sought and changes are unlikely. A lump sum contract is not a fixed price. There is more certainty over the final cost, but there are still mechanisms that allow the contract sum to change.

	For more information see: Lump sum contract.		For more information see: Lump sum contract.
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	== Measurement contract (re-measurement or measure and value contract) ==		== Measurement contract (re-measurement or measure and value contract) ==

−	Measurement contracts (sometimes called 're-measurement' or 'measure and value' contracts) can be used where the design, or type of works can be described in reasonable detail, but the amount cannot. For example, excavation, where the quantity required is difficult to assess until after the works have begun. The contract sum cannot be determined when the contract is entered into, but instead is calculated on completion based on ~~‘re~~-~~measurement’~~ of the work carried out.	+	Measurement contracts (sometimes called 're-measurement' or 'measure and value' contracts) can be used where the design, or type of works can be described in reasonable detail, but the amount cannot. For example, excavation, where the quantity required is difficult to assess until after the works have begun. The contract sum cannot be determined when the contract is entered into, but instead is calculated on completion based on 're-measurement' of the work carried out.

	For more information see: Measurement contract.		For more information see: Measurement contract.
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	== Prime contracting / prime-type contracting ==		== Prime contracting / prime-type contracting ==

−	Prime contracting is a form of procurement in which the client enters into a long-term relationship with a contractor who provides a single point of contact (prime contract) for a supply chain to deliver one or more projects. This is one of the ~~three~~ procurement routes recommended by Government Construction Strategy for publicly-funded projects (where it is described as prime-type contracting).	+	Prime contracting is a form of procurement in which the client enters into a long-term relationship with a contractor who provides a single point of contact (prime contract) for a supply chain to deliver one or more projects. This was one of the procurement routes recommended by the 2011 Government Construction Strategy for publicly-funded projects (where it was described as prime-type contracting); that strategy has since been superseded by the Procurement Act 2023, the National Procurement Policy Statement and the Construction Playbook, which continue to favour integrated, collaborative delivery models of this kind.

	For more information see: Prime contract.		For more information see: Prime contract.
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	== Public procurement ==		== Public procurement ==

−	The Common Minimum Standards, referred to in the Government Construction Strategy, ~~state~~ that '... Procurement routes should be limited to those which support integrated team working (PPP/PFI, Design & Build, the Prime-type Contracting approach and framework arrangements...).'	+	The Common Minimum Standards, referred to in the (now superseded) Government Construction Strategy, stated that '... Procurement routes should be limited to those which support integrated team working (PPP/PFI, Design & Build, the Prime-type Contracting approach and framework arrangements...).' Under each of these, the client appoints a single integrated supply team (including designers, contractors, suppliers and perhaps facilities managers) based on an output-based specification before design commences.
−		+
−	Under each of these, the client appoints a single integrated supply team (including designers, contractors, suppliers and perhaps facilities managers) based on an output-based specification before design commences.	+

−	Public ~~projects or publicly-subsidised projects may be subject to OJEU~~ procurement procedures.	+	Public procurement in the UK is now governed by the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025 and replaced the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Notices are published through the UK's Find a Tender service; the EU's OJEU procedures, referred to in earlier guidance, ceased to apply in the UK following Brexit.

−	For more information see: Public procurement, ~~OJEU~~, PFI, Private developer scheme and Crown build.	+	For more information see: Public procurement, Find a Tender, PFI, Private developer scheme and Crown build.

	== Schedule of rates term contract ==		== Schedule of rates term contract ==
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	== Traditional contract (Design-Bid-Build) ==		== Traditional contract (Design-Bid-Build) ==

−	The 'traditional' procurement route (sometimes referred to as design-bid-build) is a single-stage, fully designed project where the design is developed in detail by a consultant ~~teamworking~~ for the client and a contractor is then appointed under a lump-sum construction contract which includes penalties for late completion. The contractor may have no responsibility for any design other than temporary works.	+	The 'traditional' procurement route (sometimes referred to as design-bid-build) is a single-stage, fully designed project where the design is developed in detail by a consultant team working for the client and a contractor is then appointed under a lump-sum construction contract which includes penalties for late completion. The contractor may have no responsibility for any design other than temporary works.

	For more information, see Traditional contract.		For more information, see Traditional contract.

Designing Buildings at 08:59, 1 December 2022

2022-12-01T08:59:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:59, 1 December 2022
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	= What factors influence the selection of a procurement route? =		= What factors influence the selection of a procurement route? =

−	Considerations are likely to include:	+	Considerations that might influence the selection of a procurement route are likely to include:

	* Speed.		* Speed.
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	== Construction management ==		== Construction management ==

−	Construction management is a procurement route in which the works are constructed by a number of different trade contractors~~. These~~ trade contractors are contracted to the client but managed by a construction manager. The construction manager acts as an agent for the client, administering and co-ordinating the works contracts.	+	Construction management is a procurement route in which the works are constructed by a number of different trade contractors, these trade contractors are contracted to the client but managed by a construction manager. The construction manager acts as an agent for the client, administering and co-ordinating the works contracts.

	The construction manager is generally appointed early in the design process so that their experience can be used to improve the buildability and packaging of proposals as they develop.		The construction manager is generally appointed early in the design process so that their experience can be used to improve the buildability and packaging of proposals as they develop.
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	== Custom build ==		== Custom build ==

−	Custom-build ~~homes are~~ a less 'hands-on' variation of self building in which the prospective home owner works with a developer ~~that~~ can take on the design and construction of the home on their behalf and may help find and acquire a site and arrange finance.	+	Custom-build is a less 'hands-on' variation of self building in which the prospective home owner works with a developer who can take on the design and construction of the home on their behalf and may help find and acquire a site and arrange finance for them.

	See Custom-build home for more information.		See Custom-build home for more information.

Designing Buildings at 07:55, 12 October 2022

2022-10-12T07:55:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:55, 12 October 2022
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	A range of possible procurement routes, and short descriptions of them are presented below, along with links to more detailed information.		A range of possible procurement routes, and short descriptions of them are presented below, along with links to more detailed information.

−	= What different procurement ~~routes~~ are available? =	+	= What different types of procurement route are available? =

−	The list below sets out the key characteristics of xx of the most commonly used procurement routes. More information is ~~provided~~ by following the links to related articles.	+	The list below sets out the key characteristics of 26 of the most commonly used procurement routes. More information is available by following the links to related articles.

	== Admeasurement contract ==		== Admeasurement contract ==

Designing Buildings at 07:54, 12 October 2022

2022-10-12T07:54:06Z

Show changes

Designing Buildings at 14:06, 5 October 2022

2022-10-05T14:06:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:06, 5 October 2022
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	* Financing.		* Financing.

−	~~In 2012~~, ~~an [https://www.ribaplanofwork.com/About/Introduction.aspx RIBA member's survey]~~ suggested ~~that~~ procurement routes ~~commonly used by respondents were~~:	+	The National Construction Contracts and Law Report 2018, published by NBS, suggested the following mix of procurement routes in the construction industry:

−	* Traditional ~~contract 86~~%	+	* Traditional procurement 46%
−	* ~~Single-stage design~~ and build 41%	+	* Design and build 41%
−	* ~~Two-stage design and build 39~~%	+	* Partnering / alliancing 3%
−	* ~~Management contract 18~~%	+	* Construction management 3%
−	* PFI 10%	+	* Contractor approved without any tender process 2%
		+	* Measured term 1%
		+	* PFI / PPP 1%
		+	* Cost plus 1%
		+	* Management contracting 1%

	For more information see: What is the most common procurement route?		For more information see: What is the most common procurement route?

Designing Buildings at 14:03, 5 October 2022

2022-10-05T14:03:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:03, 5 October 2022
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−	[[File:~~Time cost quality~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:Time_cost_quality.jpg\|link=File:Time_cost_quality.jpg]]

	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

Designing Buildings at 11:27, 29 September 2022

2022-09-29T11:27:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:27, 29 September 2022
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		+	[[File:Time cost quality.jpg]]
		+
	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

Designing Buildings at 11:24, 29 September 2022

2022-09-29T11:24:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:24, 29 September 2022
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	* What is the most common procurement route?		* What is the most common procurement route?

−	~~[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]~~ [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]

Designing Buildings at 11:23, 29 September 2022

2022-09-29T11:23:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:23, 29 September 2022
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	* Management contract 18%		* Management contract 18%
	* PFI 10%		* PFI 10%
		+
		+	For more information see: What is the most common procurement route?

	A range of possible procurement routes, and short descriptions of them are presented below, along with links to more detailed information.		A range of possible procurement routes, and short descriptions of them are presented below, along with links to more detailed information.
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	* Admeasurement		* Admeasurement
−	* August 2020 construction PMI survey results.
−	* Automated vendor selection.
−	* Bidding tactics.
	* Build lease transfer BLT.		* Build lease transfer BLT.
	* Build operate transfer BOT.		* Build operate transfer BOT.
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	* Design construct manage finance DCMF.		* Design construct manage finance DCMF.
	* Difference between procurement and purchasing.		* Difference between procurement and purchasing.
−	* Dynamic purchasing system under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
	* Engineering procurement and construction contract.		* Engineering procurement and construction contract.
−	* ESPD and the decline of the PQQ.
	* European Single Procurement Document ESPD.		* European Single Procurement Document ESPD.
−	* Framework contract	+	* Framework contract.
−	* Lump sum contract	+	* Lump sum contract.
	* Maintenance Repair Operations MRO.		* Maintenance Repair Operations MRO.
−	* Management contractor	+	* Management contractor.
−	* Managing the procurement process.	+	* OJEU procurement procedures.
−	* Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication NPwPP.	+	* Partnering in construction.
−	* OJEU procurement procedures	+	* Private finance initiative.
−	* Partnering in construction	+
−	* Private finance initiative	+
	* Procurement policy.		* Procurement policy.
−	* Procurement policy note PPN.
	* ‎Procurement route – frequently asked questions.		* ‎Procurement route – frequently asked questions.
−	* Procurement route options pros and cons.
	* Procurement strategy.		* Procurement strategy.
	* Public private partnerships PPP		* Public private partnerships PPP
−	* Public procurement	+	* Public procurement.
	* Renovate, operate, transfer (ROT).		* Renovate, operate, transfer (ROT).
	* Restricted procedure under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).		* Restricted procedure under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
	* Reverse auction.		* Reverse auction.
	* Shadow tolls.		* Shadow tolls.
−	* Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
	* Single-stage tender		* Single-stage tender
	* Subcontract procurement.		* Subcontract procurement.
−	* Tender processes for construction contracts	+	* Tender processes for construction contracts.
−	* The Value Toolkit.	+
	* Traditional contract for construction.		* Traditional contract for construction.
	* Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper.		* Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper.
−	* Two-stage tender	+	* Two-stage tender.
−	* ~~Typical tender process for construction projects~~	+	* What is the most common procurement route?

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]

Designing Buildings at 06:23, 28 September 2022

2022-09-28T06:23:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:23, 28 September 2022
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	* August 2020 construction PMI survey results.		* August 2020 construction PMI survey results.
	* Automated vendor selection.		* Automated vendor selection.
−	* Availability payments.
	* Bidding tactics.		* Bidding tactics.
	* Build lease transfer BLT.		* Build lease transfer BLT.
	* Build operate transfer BOT.		* Build operate transfer BOT.
−	* CIC Roadmap for Change.
−	* Clustering.
	* Competitive procedure with negotiation.		* Competitive procedure with negotiation.
	* Complex project.		* Complex project.
	* Connected procurement.		* Connected procurement.
−	* Construction contract.
−	* Construction manager.
−	* Copronet digital hub is designed to improve the construction industry.
	* Corporate objectives for procurement.		* Corporate objectives for procurement.
−	* Crown Commercial Service CCS.
	* Design and build procurement route		* Design and build procurement route
	* Design and manage procurement route.		* Design and manage procurement route.
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	* Design construct manage finance DCMF.		* Design construct manage finance DCMF.
	* Difference between procurement and purchasing.		* Difference between procurement and purchasing.
−	* Down payment chain.
	* Dynamic purchasing system under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).		* Dynamic purchasing system under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
−	* ECA welcomes the Value Toolkit for the construction industry.
	* Engineering procurement and construction contract.		* Engineering procurement and construction contract.
	* ESPD and the decline of the PQQ.		* ESPD and the decline of the PQQ.
	* European Single Procurement Document ESPD.		* European Single Procurement Document ESPD.
−	* Exclusion grounds under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
−	* Expediting
−	* Fast track construction
	* Framework contract		* Framework contract
−	* Guaranteed maximum price for construction contracts.
−	* Innovative partnership procedure.
−	* Job order contracting.
	* Lump sum contract		* Lump sum contract
	* Maintenance Repair Operations MRO.		* Maintenance Repair Operations MRO.
	* Management contractor		* Management contractor
	* Managing the procurement process.		* Managing the procurement process.
−	* Methods used by construction companies to facilitate materials.
	* Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication NPwPP.		* Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication NPwPP.
−	* New deal for infrastructure 2020.
	* OJEU procurement procedures		* OJEU procurement procedures
	* Partnering in construction		* Partnering in construction
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	* Procurement policy.		* Procurement policy.
	* Procurement policy note PPN.		* Procurement policy note PPN.
		+	* ‎Procurement route – frequently asked questions.
	* Procurement route options pros and cons.		* Procurement route options pros and cons.
	* Procurement strategy.		* Procurement strategy.
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	* Restricted procedure under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).		* Restricted procedure under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
	* Reverse auction.		* Reverse auction.
−	* RFx.
−	* Schedule of rates for construction.
	* Shadow tolls.		* Shadow tolls.
	* Single Procurement Document (Scotland).		* Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
	* Single-stage tender		* Single-stage tender
−	* Source to pay software S2P.
	* Subcontract procurement.		* Subcontract procurement.
	* Tender processes for construction contracts		* Tender processes for construction contracts
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	* Two-stage tender		* Two-stage tender
	* Typical tender process for construction projects		* Typical tender process for construction projects
−	* Vendor Managed Inventory VMI.

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Public_procedures]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]