The Construction Playbook expects contracting authorities to use 'the UK BIM Framework to standardise the approach to generating and classifying data, data security and data exchange, and to support adoption of the Information Management Framework and the creation of the National Digital Twin' (p.11), in order to 'enable secure, resilient data sharing across organisations and sectors' (p.20).
Successful frameworks depend on communicating the right information to the right parties at the time when they can best use it to improve outcomes - and then making sure that they use it in the right way. BIM and other digital technologies can improve integration among framework providers, clients, managers, suppliers and supply chain members in relation to the quality, consistency, transparency and management of the information that they generate and use.
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NHS Procure reports that the ProCure 22 frameworks are 'using Principal Supply Chain Partner collaboration and pooled buying power to secure preferential rates (plus extended warranties and free design) for commonly used components, which has saved over £18 million to date. ProCure 22 offers free use of other ProCure framework project information and designs via Project Share, and free use of repeatable/ standardised compliant room designs, using PSCP experience and know-how to produce ready 'drag and drop' designs (including CAD, BIM, REVIT and ADB files) for more than 20 common healthcare rooms'. |
The development of agreed approaches to the successful use of digital technologies is closely linked to the interfaces and systems that can be established in framework procurement. A Gold Standard framework provides for BIM and other digital technologies to underpin the agreed approaches to design, supply chain engagement, costing, risk management and programming, both strategically and in the award and implementation of framework projects. However, the feedback from review participants suggests a lack of consistency in the use of digital technologies to support current frameworks, and over 78% consider that frameworks need to make better use of BIM.
78% of review participants say that frameworks should make better use of BIM. |
There should be a natural fit between digital technologies and the framework systems governing MMC, ESI and Supply Chain Collaboration. Framework contracts can describe how digital technologies are enabled and supported through specific provisions governing:
■ The impact of digital information on the timing of agreed framework activities
■ The use of digital technologies for call-off
■ Mutual intellectual property rights among clients, managers, suppliers and supply chain members
■ Reliance on digital information by clients, managers and suppliers
■ Responsibility for managing digital information
■ Links between the digital information used for the design, construction and operation of framework projects and programmes of work.
Before commencing the framework procurement, framework providers and clients should consider how client outcomes can be improved by standardising the generation and classification of data, data security and data exchange across organisations and sectors. In the framework procurement, they should evaluate supplier proposals to improve performance, safety, sustainability and value for money through the development and use of BIM and other digital technologies.
Perceived threats to intellectual property rights are seen as a serious obstacle to collaborative innovation through BIM, because suppliers and supply chain members are concerned that they will lose control of their original ideas. They fear these ideas will be copied and used by others without their consent. Framework contracts can help to avoid this roadblock by making clear:
■ Mutual intellectual property ownership rights and protections between clients, managers and suppliers in respect of their contributions to BIM models and other digital information
■ The grant of mutual limited, non-exclusive intellectual property licences to reproduce, distribute, display or otherwise use those contributions
■ The requirement for back-to-back arrangements between suppliers and supply chain members.