Professional Services Framework
Framework Description
Orbit Group's Professional Services Framework is an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023 for consultancy and specialist services across 12 lots, from finance and digital to engineering, retrofit, fire, surveying and valuation. It is expected to run from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2030, with a possible extension to 31 July 2034, an eight-year life. The notice is on Find a Tender as 069700-2025.
Context & Use Case
Orbit, a social housing provider, uses the framework for professional input across its homes and organisation: audit and risk, digital change, design and engineering on capital schemes, PAS 2035 retrofit, fire engineering and EWS1 surveys, and valuations. Holding all twelve disciplines on one framework lets Orbit appoint specialists quickly without running separate tenders.
Scope of Services
Financial, audit and risk; digital transformation and technology Civil and structural engineering; building services engineering (M&E) Architectural design and planning; landscape architectural design Project management and technical assurance Decarbonisation retrofit for dwellings (PAS 2035:2019) Sustainability and environmental consultancy Fire engineering with EWS1 and FRAEW surveys Surveying; valuation services
Lots
12-lot structure covering consultancy and specialist services (finance, digital, engineering, retrofit, fire, surveying and valuation, and related areas)
Who Can Apply
Consultancies and specialist practices in any of the 12 disciplines, from audit firms and architects to retrofit coordinators and fire engineers. The first tender closed in May 2026, so firms not appointed cannot join today. As an open framework it must reopen to new suppliers during its term, so check the framework page for the first reopening.
Buyer Benefits
Orbit can commission advice for a scheme or business need from pre-qualified firms in each discipline, saving time on tenders. A long potential term builds working relationships with consultants who know its stock and standards, and dedicated retrofit and fire lots reflect how central decarbonisation and building safety are to housing providers.
Next Steps
Appointed firms should brief Orbit's commissioning teams on their lot capability and keep case studies ready for call-off requests. Others should read notice 069700-2025 for the lot requirements and evaluation approach, then prepare for the first reopening: choose your lots and gather housing case studies, PAS 2035 or fire engineering credentials and team CVs. Subcontract roles with appointed firms can bridge the gap.
How Athena Can Help
For firms on Orbit's panel, Athena writes call-off proposals with clear win themes and fee models that protect margin, through our bid and proposal writing.
If you are not on it yet, the reopening is your way in. Our open framework application support picks the right lots, writes the narrative answers and case studies, and compliance-checks the submission. Our bid/no-bid planning helps retrofit and fire specialists decide which lots, and which other housing consultancy tenders, are worth the effort.
