Meet Richard Williams: Q&A with Fusion21’s Framework Manager (Workplace and FM)

Following the success of our national Workplace and Facilities Management Framework, we have recently announced its renewal worth up to £700 million over four years, and are now inviting bids from interested suppliers providing regional, or national coverage.

Richard Williams, Framework Manager (Workplace and FM) at Fusion21 discusses why the refreshed framework has so much to offer for our members.

What are the challenges members face in this area?

Our members tell us they are facing various challenges, including maintaining and managing working environments and equipment, as well as trying to reduce energy costs while prices have soared in recent years.

Many public sector organisations are getting to grips with sustainability and carbon reduction targets, and realising they need their supply chain to play its part in supporting these goals. Dealing with complex procurement processes and sourcing supply chains to deliver quality services, while coping with the day-to-day challenges and implementing long-term plans is a struggle many will recognise.

We have also reached the point where PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contracts are coming to the end of their concession periods. PFIs involve partnerships between the public and private sectors to finance and manage public infrastructure over long-term contracts, often 20-30 years.

As these contracts reach their end, the responsibility for asset transfers back to the public sector and PFI hand-back preparation is important to avoid unplanned costs while ensuring assets are handed over in good condition. Starting to plan for ‘what comes next’ is key.

With my experience in facilities, compliance, and procurement management across various sectors, I understand the importance of proper planning and due diligence at this stage to ensure the seamless transition of assets back into the public sector.

How has the approach to this refreshed offer been different and what is new about the framework?

We undertook extensive internal and external reviews, paying particular attention to member demand and feedback to make sure the framework is relevant and fit for purpose.

We reviewed this feedback for the services offered under the current framework and used it to rationalise the service offering from six lots down to four. The individual service lots aim to provide suppliers who are specialists in their dedicated areas. Lot 1 allows multiple services to be provided by a single supplier. This holistic approach removes duplication in management functions giving commissioning teams more capacity to focus on outcomes and suppliers can offer better value for money. Lots 2 and 3 focus on specific services for Cleaning and Security, while Lot 4 is for Building Engineering services.

The refreshed framework will operate under The Public Contract Regulations 2015 for a period of four years ensuring it meets our members’ needs across a range of services. Using the existing regulations provides legal certainty to contracting authorities who may need more time to get ready for the new legislation.

What advice would you give those wanting to use the framework?

Becoming a member and joining us is free and simple and can be done online. Once signed up, any public sector organisation wanting to use the framework should think about what they want from their buildings and how they can help them to achieve their core organisational objectives.

To procure facilities management services, they should consider the scope of services they need and how this might change over time. Ideally, every organisation would also have a comprehensive pack of asset data, but we’re realistic and I know from experience that this isn’t always the case.

We support the procurement process from developing specifications and pricing documents through to tender design and management. With years of experience in supply chain and compliance management, we can help identify gaps and find solutions to minimise risks and costs for our members. If members require more support, we also have a framework for FM consultants that can be used as an extension to our procurement services.

Tender applications

The tender period for our Workplace and Facilities Management Framework is closing soon. Interested suppliers that meet the criteria set out in the tender documentation must apply by Friday 29 November 2024, at 10am.

To learn more and apply for the framework use the following link: https://hubs.li/Q02RQ30G0 and click on ‘Current opportunities’