The Department of Health has confirmed it will retender its Procure 21 framework next year.

Firm dates are yet to be agreed, but the DoH said the industry would be consulted as early as the first quarter of 2009. It will release an Official Journal notice early next summer, carry out a tender competition, then award contracts in summer 2010.  

The DoH said: “The framework will offer the NHS and building industry an improved version of what is already a world-class procurement method.”

Procure 21 was criticised after its launch in 2003, when several firms failed to win any contracts, but contractors have welcomed the next stage in its development.

Willmott Dixon is understood to be interested in bidding.