FAQ
Can we use JCT?
Yes!
Whilst YORhub recommends the use of NEC4 forms of contract, in line with various best practice guidance from organisations such as the Cabinet Office’s Government Construction Board, our YORbuild frameworks are priced for both NEC and JCT. For those wanting to use JCT we provide a list of standard amendments in a call-off supplement to be included within your contracts. And our YORconsult framework supports any form of contract.
For those interested in using NEC but needing additional support we also offer free NEC training.
Can we do price-only mini-competitions?
Yes!
Price-only tenders are possible and indeed used through all YORhub frameworks.
Can we do direct award?
Yes!
We have a range of direct award routes available for our frameworks to suit you:
- Rotation – each supplier in a lot gets a turn to receive an opportunity
- Fee initiated call-off (YORconsult3 only) – ideal for low complexity schemes, our framework manager will identify the supplier with the most competitive rates for your project.
- Client-selected – our newest direct award route, client-selected direct award allows you to select a supplier based on objective criteria. Already being used by a number of clients, this route is ideal for when you have a legally justifiable reason for selecting a specific organisation.
In what circumstances can I use client-selected direct award for?
Each framework has specific criteria that you need to fulfil in order to utilise client-selected direct award. Our framework managers can advise on use of client-selected direct award, but briefly there are 2 criteria, of which you need to satisfy at least one.
The criteria are:
- Where the proposed Call Off has substantial similarities to a previous project/scheme in which the Framework Supplier was involved (whether such project was the subject of a Call Off Contract awarded under this Framework Agreement or not).
Examples relating to this might include:Where a client wishes to buy additional or to partly replace existing services which are the same or compatible with existing provisions (both those already supplied or that are contracted to be supplied). In this case, a direct award may be made where a change of supplier would result in the contracting authority receiving services that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing services, and that difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance. - Where the Framework Supplier has already performed services relating to the Call Off and the Client requires continuity of service in respect of such a subsequent phase or stage of work.
Examples relating to this might include:Where a client has appointed a specific supplier to undertake design of a project for a number of RIBA stages and wishes to award a contract to deliver further design for a later RIBA stage to the same supplier.
Where a supplier has delivered a number of phases of a programme of work and the client needs to appoint them for a further phase.
Please note that while we have gone to great efforts to set up client-selected direct award to be a fully compliant procurement route, including sourcing legal advice, ultimately the risk of utilising any procurement route is the decision of the client and therefore any liability rests with the contracting authority for the call-off in question. We would always discuss the specifics of any proposed client-selected direct award call off with you to ensure that the use of this route is in your best interests.
Can we change the price/quality weightings on tenders?
Yes!
Our YORhub frameworks have been designed to be flexible in accepting a wide variety of price/quality weightings, for example on YORbuild3 you can select any weighting from 100% price to 30% price / 70% quality.
Can we choose how many quality questions to ask?
Yes!
Our templates include a suite of customisable quality questions to choose from. We encourage you to choose the relevant quality questions for your project from the suite. Each quality question can be weighted up to 50% so on a price/quality exercise two quality questions is acceptable or if they are not needed, you can tender on a price-only basis.
Can we amend how we score quality questions?
Yes!
While the title of the quality question should not be changed (eg Tender Programme, Outline method statement for the project etc) the bullet points within these are flexible. You can amend them to reflect your project-specific requirements. For example, where a scheme requires a Construction Environmental Management Plan to satisfy planning requirements, you could alter the bullet points under the method statement question to capture this need.
Likewise, the number of bullet points can be amended and you can amend the Scoring Guide to suit. All we ask is that you ensure that the score guide is open and transparent and can be clearly understood by both the evaluation panel and prospective tenderers.
Can we alter the social value weightings?
Yes!
Our frameworks have standard quality questions, two of which are focused on Social Value. The weightings of our quality questions are flexible and can be varied. Any question can form up to 50% of the overall quality score, so between the two questions you could even put the entire quality scoring to social value if you so wish. We are happy to talk to users about weighting options on all of your tender opportunities.
Can we alter the employment and skills outputs to fit our organisational or project-specific requirements?
Yes!
We offer standard employment & skills outputs on call-offs over a certain value as a matter of course, the targets can be varied by each authority depending on their own requirements. This flexibility enables project specific requirements to be considered so any targets set are appropriate and achievable. We recommend these are developed in conjunction with the YORhub Employment & Skills Manager or Framework Manager.
Can we use our own templates?
Yes!
Many prefer to use our templates as YORhub has passed numerous external audits confirming compliance of our template documents with procurement regulations; however you are welcome to use your own documentation as long as framework-specific requirements are included. Any framework specific requirements can be provided as a separate call-off supplement. Our only advice is to check to make sure that there are no ambiguities between the framework-specific requirements and your own contractual requirements.
What value scheme can we put through YORhub?
Any!
We’ve had schemes ranging from under £2,000 up to over £100m through our frameworks.
Can we have a catchup meeting with YORhub?
Yes!
We’re very happy to meet face to face or virtually. This could be to provide free training or to talk through how you can make the frameworks work for you. Your regular contacts within the framework management teams are available to meet you, Mike Raven and Caroline Key from our Client Engagement team are also on hand to talk with you about YORhub and your schemes. Contact us at [email protected] or go to our About us page to contact a specific individual if you know who you want to talk to.
I’m a subcontractor or supplier wanting to work for YORhub framework contractors, how do I do that?
You can find the names of our framework contractors on the framework pages of this website. Our YORscep Supply Chain Engagement Programme can help you gain visibility of subcontract opportunities.
Your question not answered?
Our team is ready to answer any other questions you may have.