Constructing West Midlands 3 (CWM3) Construction Framework
Framework Description
Constructing West Midlands 3 (CWM3) is a publicly owned construction framework run by Acivico for general construction and building services across the West Midlands, reported as worth £1.3bn. It has three lots by project value: £250k to £5m (8 firms), £2m to £15m (6 firms) and £10m and above (6 firms). It runs to 30 September 2030, with an option to extend by up to 24 months to 30 September 2032.
Context & Use Case
Public sector organisations in the West Midlands use CWM3 for new build, extensions, remodelling, retrofit, refurbishment and repair, including mechanical and electrical works, infrastructure and associated design. Overlapping value bands let a client place mid-sized schemes in either Lot 1 or Lot 2, while the Lot 3 contractors handle the largest capital projects.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: projects £250k to £5m (8 contractors) Lot 2: projects £2m to £15m (6 contractors) Lot 3: projects £10m and above (6 contractors) New build, extensions, remodelling and retrofit Refurbishment, renovation and repair Mechanical and electrical services, infrastructure and associated design
Lots
Lot 1 (projects £250k to £5m, 8 firms); Lot 2 (projects £2m to £15m, 6 firms); Lot 3 (projects £10m+, 6 firms)
Who Can Apply
Contractor appointments were reported in September 2026, so applications for the framework are now closed. Other main contractors must wait for a re-tender near 30 September 2030, or 2032 if extended. Specialists, M&E firms and SMEs can still win work as subcontractors to the appointed firms.
Buyer Benefits
Clients get a publicly owned route with contractors already selected for each project size, so schemes can start without a full open tender. Three value bands match contractor scale to project size, and a regional framework supports local supply chains and social value across the West Midlands.
Next Steps
Appointed contractors should build relationships with West Midlands public clients and prepare for call-off competitions in their lot. Subcontractors and SMEs should approach the appointed firms now, with health and safety, quality and local social value credentials. Others should plan for Acivico's re-tender ahead of 30 September 2030, or 30 September 2032 if extended.
How Athena Can Help
CWM3 is newly awarded, so the opportunity for appointed contractors is winning projects within their lot. Athena's help with project bids brings win themes, competitor scoring and cost models to each call-off.
For contractors outside CWM3, we can map other open and upcoming construction frameworks through our framework search service, and our public sector construction bidding support covers bid/no-bid decisions and social value responses, for the 2030 re-tender and for subcontract packages.
