Modular Buildings 3
Framework Description
Modular Buildings 3 (SBS10514) is NHS Shared Business Services' framework for buying, hiring or leasing modular buildings for healthcare, education, the wider public sector and residential accommodation. New-build lots are split into four value bands, from up to £5m to over £25m, with separate hire and lease lots. It is a traditional framework, not a DPS, running from 12 June 2025 to 11 June 2029.
Context & Use Case
NHS trusts, schools, local authorities and blue light services use it when they need space quickly, whether clinical buildings, classrooms, offices or housing. Hire and lease lots meet temporary needs, while new-build lots suit permanent buildings. Buyers can direct award or run a further competition, and the value bands keep each competition among suppliers sized for the project.
Scope of Services
Lots 1.1–1.4: Healthcare modular new build, by value band (£0–£5m, £5m–£15m, £15m–£25m, £25m+) Lot 2: Healthcare modular hire and lease Lots 3.1–3.4: Education modular new build, same value bands Lot 4: Education modular hire and lease Lots 5.1–5.4: Public sector modular new build, same value bands Lot 6: Public sector modular hire and lease Lots 7.1–7.4: Residential accommodation modular new build, same value bands
Lots
Lot 1.1-1.4: Healthcare modular new build (value tiers £0-£5m, £5m-£15m, £15m-£25m, £25m+) Lot 2: Healthcare modular hire and lease Lot 3.1-3.4: Education modular new build (same value tiers) Lot 4: Education modular hire and lease Lot 5.1-5.4: Public sector modular new build (same value tiers) Lot 6: Public sector modular hire and lease Lot 7.1-7.4: Residential accommodation modular new build (same value tiers)
Who Can Apply
It suits modular manufacturers, offsite contractors and modular hire and leasing firms, from SMEs in the lower value bands to larger contractors in the £25m+ lots. The supplier list was fixed at award, so firms not on it must wait for a re-tender, likely around 11 June 2029.
Buyer Benefits
Speed is the main draw: the framework page cites delivery up to 50% faster than traditional construction, with significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Sector lots mean a school or trust competes among suppliers with relevant experience, and hire and lease options meet short-term demand without committing to a permanent build.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should prepare for further competitions with factory-to-handover programme data, carbon figures and sector case studies matched to their value band. Firms outside the framework cannot join before June 2029; meanwhile, bid for local modular contracts to build healthcare or education evidence, and check the Modular Buildings 3 page on the NHS SBS site for re-tender news.
How Athena Can Help
Modular call-offs often turn on programme certainty and carbon. Athena's construction bid writers set out factory-to-site timelines and carbon savings in answers built to the evaluation criteria, and model your price against other suppliers in the same value band.
For manufacturers and contractors not yet appointed, our tender go/no-go advice helps pick which school, trust and council modular tenders to pursue before 2029, and Athena can provide help with the next application, from lot and value band choice to case studies and certificates.
