CHIC Merchants Framework 2026-34
Framework Description
CHIC's Merchants Framework 2026-34, developed with Efficiency North, gives social landlords a route to building materials, merchant services and managed stores. It has 12 lots, from plumbing and electrical supplies to tool hire, waste management, retrofit materials and van stock software. It was awarded on 26 May 2026 and runs until 25 May 2034, with no extension.
Context & Use Case
Landlords with in-house repairs teams use it to stock vans and stores, buy materials for planned programmes and set up managed stores on site. They can also buy retrofit materials such as PV panels, heat pumps and insulation. Members call off by mini-competition or direct award over an eight-year term.
Scope of Services
Lots 1–3: Plumbing; Electrical; General Building Lots 4–5: Managed Stores; Merchant Consortia Lot 6: Painting and Decorating Lot 7: Specialist Materials, such as glazing, roofing, timber and PPE Lots 8–10: Tools; Hire; Waste Management Lot 11: Retrofit Materials Lot 12: Van Stock Software
Lots
Lot 1 Plumbing; Lot 2 Electrical; Lot 3 General Building; Lot 4 Managed Stores; Lot 5 Merchant Consortia; Lot 6 Painting and Decorating; Lot 7 Specialist Materials; Lot 8 Tools; Lot 9 Hire; Lot 10 Waste Management; Lot 11 Retrofit Materials; Lot 12 Van Stock Software
Who Can Apply
Builders' merchants, specialist material suppliers, managed stores operators, hire firms, waste contractors and van stock software providers. The framework was awarded in May 2026 and applications are closed. With a term to 2034, waiting for a re-tender is not a near-term option.
Buyer Benefits
Repairs teams get materials quickly at agreed prices, which supports first-time fixes. Managed stores and van stock software help landlords cut waste and track stock. A dedicated retrofit materials lot supports decarbonisation programmes, and the long term gives price stability.
Next Steps
Appointed merchants should get in front of members with large in-house repairs teams and offer managed stores or van stock solutions. Suppliers not on it should consider supplying through appointed merchants, and target other merchant and materials frameworks that will open sooner.
How Athena Can Help
For appointed merchants, member mini-competitions can mean multi-year supply deals. Athena can build pricing models across large product baskets and write the service and stock management answers. This is part of our bid management offer.
If you are not on it, a framework closed to new applications and running to 2034 means looking elsewhere. Our framework opportunity planning sets out a pipeline of merchant, materials and retrofit supply frameworks. Our public sector tender consultants then help you bid for them.
