Minor Works Framework
Framework Description
Sunderland City Council's Minor Works Framework is a 41-lot agreement for minor works, maintenance and repairs across the Council's property portfolio. Lots are structured by trade and value threshold, with thresholds ranging from below £50,000 to below £750,000. It was advertised under Find a Tender notice 081117-2025, runs until 11 September 2030 and is managed through the OPEN tendering portal.
Context & Use Case
The Council uses it for routine maintenance, repairs and reactive works across its buildings, going straight to contractors appointed in the right trade and value band rather than tendering each job. Lots range from scaffolding, roofing and masonry to electrical, fire alarms, CCTV, intruder alarms, plumbing and ventilation, so most minor building needs are covered.
Scope of Services
Scaffolding, roofing and masonry Plastering, carpentry, glazing and decoration Fencing, flooring, doors and windows Metalwork and security controls Electrical and power systems Fire alarms, emergency lighting, CCTV and intruder alarms Plumbing, mechanical and ventilation works
Lots
Yes: 41 lots covering scaffolding, roofing, masonry, plastering, metalwork, carpentry, glazing, decoration, fencing, flooring, doors, windows, security controls, electrical, fire alarms, CCTV, emergency lighting, intruder alarms, power systems, plumbing, and mechanical/ventilation works.
Who Can Apply
Suits trade contractors and specialist installers, from small firms working below £50,000 to contractors able to deliver up to £750,000. Applications for this framework are closed; contractors not appointed must wait for the re-tender, likely around 11 September 2030.
Buyer Benefits
Forty-one lots split by trade and value let the Council match each job to a right-sized specialist, which keeps SMEs in contention and prices competitive. Pre-appointed contractors mean urgent repairs can start quickly, without a separate procurement for each job.
Next Steps
Appointed contractors should respond promptly to call-offs on OPEN and keep accreditations and insurances current. Others should note the 11 September 2030 end date, keep their OPEN registration live, and build case studies in their trade at the value bands they want to target, while joining other open North East frameworks and DPSs in the meantime.
How Athena Can Help
On a 41-lot framework, consistent call-off wins depend on fast, well-priced responses. Athena's bid response support helps appointed contractors produce quality answers and method statements quickly, with a Bid Health Check on larger jobs.
For contractors not on it, our routes onto open DPSs service finds minor works systems and frameworks you can join now, and our bid/no-bid tools for contractors help you decide which opportunities justify the time and cost of bidding.
