Procurement for Housing (PfH) has announced that 21 technology suppliers have been chosen for its third annual social housing emerging disruptors (SHED) framework which enables housing providers and local authorities to compliantly buy innovative services from technology start-ups and micro-businesses.
In conjunction with the Proptech Innovation Network, PfH created its disruptors’ framework with simple, SME-friendly tender documentation and a straightforward award process for housing providers, all aligned with the government’s national procurement strategy.
Jenny Danson, director, Proptech Innovation Network said, “I regularly see brilliant, imaginative young firms leave the social housing sector because it’s just too difficult for them to get onto public procurement frameworks. We therefore need initiatives like this which reduce the risks and costs for both suppliers and housing providers and help talented start-ups to get heard.”
Many of the recently-appointed suppliers are focused on asset monitoring, damp and mould and energy efficiency. They include Help Me Fix, Vericon Systems and Warmscore.
Neil Butters, head of procurement, Procurement for Housing, said, “When we set up the disruptors’ framework, we wanted to create an uncomplicated and flexible contracting process which would open opportunities up for small suppliers while ensuring that housing providers are still compliant.”
