When our clients in education and the public sector need to deliver capital works, the challenge is rarely just “finding a contractor”. It’s navigating compliance, timescales, safeguarding, value for money and governance — often while keeping buildings open and services running.
That’s exactly why procurement frameworks matter. Following our recent appointment to the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework in the West Midlands (Lots 3 and 4), we wanted to share a clearer explanation of what the framework is, how it works, and why it’s a practical route for new builds and refurbishments.
What is the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework?
The GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework is a procurement framework designed to help education and public sector organisations procure construction, maintenance and related services through a compliant, structured route to market.
Its scope spans both day-to-day estate needs and larger capital programmes, with a clear structure of “lots” that align to common project types and value bands — including Total Facilities Management and capital project lots.
From a client perspective, the benefit is straightforward: instead of starting from scratch each time, organisations can access pre-approved Delivery Partners operating under pre-agreed terms and a defined call-off process.
What sits inside the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework
The GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework is structured to cover a broad range of estates requirements, with multiple lots spanning facilities services through to major construction and renewables.
For capital delivery specifically, the lots are arranged by value band — including:
- Lot 3: £250,000 to £1 million
- Lot 4: £1 million+
This matters because it helps clients match the procurement route to the scale and complexity of the job — whether that’s a major refurbishment programme, a significant extension, or a full new-build project.
Who can use it?
While the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework is strongly aligned to education, it is set up to support a wide range of public sector organisations, giving them access to Delivery Partners through a compliant route with the governance and controls public bodies require.
How the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework works in practice
The GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework provides a clear access and call-off pathway:
- The GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework (and the client) confirm the requirement — including scope, location and preferred route
- A call-off process is run to align the client’s needs with suitable Delivery Partners on the relevant lot
- Award and mobilisation follows through call-off documentation and agreed terms
Depending on the requirement, clients can typically proceed via:
- Direct award (where the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework rules allow a supplier to be appointed without reopening competition), or
- Further competition (a mini-competition among capable suppliers on the relevant lot).
That flexibility matters in the real world. Some projects are urgent (for example, condition or compliance-driven works), while others benefit from a competitive process to refine methodology, programme and cost.
Social value at the heart of the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework
Beyond procurement efficiency, the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework places emphasis on social value — ensuring that investment in public sector estates delivers wider benefits for communities, not just the buildings themselves.
Within the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework, Delivery Partners are expected to show how projects contribute positively to local economies, skills development, environmental responsibility and community wellbeing. In practice, that can include supporting local employment, using regional supply chains, creating apprenticeships and training opportunities, and applying responsible, sustainable construction approaches.
For schools in particular, this focus helps ensure that investment supports outcomes beyond the site boundary — from engaging local SMEs to creating meaningful careers and skills pathways linked to construction and the built environment.
Importantly, by embedding social value into the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework approach, it becomes something that is considered consistently and transparently — supporting public sector clients in meeting their own reporting and governance requirements around value for money and community impact.
Why this approach fits education refurbishments and new builds
When we work with schools and public sector organisations, we know they often need partners who can:
- plan works around term-time constraints and decant strategies,
- maintain safeguarding and site security,
- manage live environments with minimal disruption,
- bring transparency to scope, risk and programme,
- and support value-for-money decision-making.
A framework route like the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework helps reduce friction at the procurement stage so projects can move forward with greater confidence — while still maintaining the checks and controls that public sector clients require.
What it means for clients working with RAEBUILD
As a Delivery Partner on the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework in the West Midlands for Lot 3 and Lot 4, we can support clients with projects ranging from substantial refurbishments to major new build and expansion programmes — accessed through a framework route built around defined processes and procurement support.
Paul Edwards, Director at RAEBUILD, said:
“For many schools and public sector organisations, the biggest hurdle isn’t deciding what needs doing — it’s having a clear, compliant route to get work moving quickly and confidently. The GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework helps remove friction from procurement, so teams can focus on outcomes: safe, resilient, future-ready buildings delivered with quality and care. Social value is also a key part of that — creating local opportunities and lasting benefits alongside the work we deliver.”
For more information on the GEM (Good Estate Management) Framework please visit their website here: https://gemframework.co.uk
