Places for People Group has launched its latest free-to-join public sector procurement solution, through its own in-house Procurement Hub.

The new builders’ merchants framework will offer direct and efficient, pre-tendered access to some of the top materials suppliers in the country, complementing the Procurement Hub’s recently-launched Development Contractors solution.

In spite of uncertainty surrounding the EU referendum, the UK builders and plumbers market has grown steadily year-on-year since the economic downturn, and is forecasted to reach record output figures in 2016.

Jewson, City Electrical Factors, Wolseley, and Travis Perkins have been selected as direct suppliers across four distinct lots within the framework. Each was selected following a competitive tender process managed by the Procurement Hub, against criteria including national coverage, legislative compliance and quality standards.

For each specialist lot, framework members will be able to either procure immediately through its allocated direct supplier, or complete further competition through the Hub’s Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). The DPS is an open-ended procurement solution, which allows for the addition of new suppliers at any time upon request, offering the opportunity for organisations to engage with SMEs and local suppliers where desired.

Alan Heron, head of procurement at Places for People, said: “The builders’ merchants framework has been designed specifically to speed up the procurement of vital building materials for our members in the housing and public sectors.

“Unlike traditional framework agreements in the market, Procurement Hub’s solution offers direct and immediate access to an accredited, OJEU-compliant supplier for each specialist product stream – dispensing with the need for further competition – taking the majority of administration and risk off the shoulders of our members.”