A pilot project, developed by the Federation of Master Builders and supported by the Wales Co-Operative Centre and Caerphilly County Borough Council Council’s supplier relationship officer, has seen a group of four businesses celebrating their addition to a potentially lucrative framework agreement.

The Construction Enterprise Pilot Project was piloted in the South Wales Valleys area, with the aim of expanding the project to the rest of Wales in the longer term. The project aim was to practically support smaller builders to be able to bid for public sector contracts more successfully.

The successful consortium, Allied Construction Consortium Ltd, is made up of four partners which offer complementary building services in the south east Wales area.

Rend Right Ltd offers rendering and insulations services, SD James Construction offers general construction and building services, CX2 offers quantity surveying and health and safety services and Huw Jones who brings finance, corporate strategy, accountancy and IT Services to the consortium.

Allied Construction Consortium Ltd was accepted on to the Caerphilly County Borough Council Framework for supply and delivery of labour and materials for the external works, labour and materials for the Welsh Housing Quality Standard Programme for works packages above the value of £750,000. The project made use of a new Joint Bidding Guide, developed jointly by the Welsh Government.

Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance, said: “I am delighted that a new consortium of four businesses has been successful in securing a place on this framework. In working collaboratively with partners to produce the Joint Bidding Guide, the Welsh Government has shown the value of joint working, and its commitment to removing barriers that prevent Wales-based businesses from winning contracts in the public sector. I am hopeful that this early success will encourage more businesses to work together to bid for and win contracts, and I want to see all of our public sector organisations in Wales encouraging and welcoming consortium bids.”