Asset & Development Consultancy Framework - Multi-disciplinary Consultancy
Framework Description
The Multi-disciplinary Consultancy lot lets public sector buyers appoint one firm to cover several traditional consultancy disciplines under a single appointment, from project management and quantity surveying to principal designer duties. It forms part of South East Consortium's Asset & Development Consultancy framework, awarded on 21 January 2025 (reference 2024/S 000-016416), and runs until 20 January 2028, with an option to extend by 12 months.
Context & Use Case
Housing associations, councils and other public clients often need several consultants on the same scheme. Appointing one multi-disciplinary firm cuts the number of appointments to manage and reduces the risk of gaps between roles, for instance between the quantity surveyor and the employer's agent. Buyers call off by direct award or mini-competition.
Scope of Services
Project management Building surveying Structural engineering Clerk of works Quantity surveying Employer's agent Principal designer (CDM)
Lots
Single lot (Multi-disciplinary Consultancy, within the Asset & Development Consultancy framework)
Who Can Apply
Suits consultancies that can cover all seven disciplines in-house or through a managed sub-consultant team, with experience of public development and asset programmes. Applications for this lot are closed; firms not on it cannot join until South East Consortium re-tenders, likely around January 2028, or January 2029 if the extension is used.
Buyer Benefits
A single point of responsibility means fewer appointments, one fee negotiation and clear accountability when problems arise between design, cost and site supervision. That suits smaller client teams without the capacity to coordinate several consultants on one scheme, and it shortens procurement time.
Next Steps
Appointed firms should show buyers how integrated delivery saves them time and fees, using examples from current SEC commissions. Others should map gaps in their discipline coverage, line up sub-consultant partners where needed, and gather multi-discipline case studies ahead of the re-tender, expected around 20 January 2028 or a year later if the extension is taken.
How Athena Can Help
A multi-disciplinary bid has to convince evaluators that seven disciplines will work as one team. Athena's bid strategy and writing service builds that story with win themes, team structures and competitor scoring, then checks every answer for compliance against the evaluation criteria.
Before the re-tender, our bid/no-bid planning helps you decide whether to bid alone or with partners, and our framework registration team prepares the selection evidence and certificates in good time.
