schoolfeasibility.co.uk

CIF condition feasibility study brief

Authored by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder of Digital Signet. Working from RIBA Plan of Work 2020, RICS NRM1, BB103/BB104 and ESFA CIF 2026-27 rules.

A CIF condition feasibility brief for an academy or SAT bidding into the 2026-27 round. It pairs the condition evidence required by Section B with the fundable cost narrative Section C demands.

What the brief must contain

Site survey package (topo, measured, condition, R&D2 asbestos), options appraisal, area schedule against BB103/BB104, Cost Plan A under NRM1, programme Gantt to the December 2026 deadline, risk register, governor pack and CIF-form-ready text [source: CIF 2025-26 applicants' guide, verified 2026-06-24].

Mandatory deliverables

For a 2026-27 round bid: condition evidence dated within twelve months of submission, a fundable cost narrative at NRM1 Cost Plan A or above, a programme that closes before the construction window the CIF round implies, and signed-off Section A trust governance evidence.

Programme and timing

Typical study runs eight to ten weeks. To submit confidently in mid-December the study should kick off no later than late September. Add four weeks of governor pack drafting and chair review before submission.

Fee envelope

Typical fee envelope £18,500-£32,500 for a Stage 0-2 multidisciplinary study on a primary; £22,000-£38,500 on a secondary. SEN scope adds 12-15% to the band.

Is the fee CIF-eligible?

The fee is recoverable post-award as reasonable pre-construction cost, but not funded upfront. Treat as cashflow risk and ringfence the trust reserve before commissioning.

ITT - paste-ready core block
1. Engagement
The Trust seeks a multidisciplinary consultant team to deliver a RIBA Stage 0-2 feasibility study supporting a CIF 2026-27 condition-improvement bid for the works package described at Annex A.

2. Deliverables
(a) Site survey package (topo, measured, condition, R&D2 asbestos)
(b) Options appraisal (do-nothing / repair / replace / hybrid)
(c) Area schedule cross-checked against BB103 / BB104
(d) Cost Plan A under RICS NRM1
(e) Planning pre-app feedback (where applicable)
(f) Programme to CIF submission close (mid-December 2026)
(g) Risk register on Orange Book principles
(h) Governor pack and CIF Section C ready text

3. Programme
Kick-off no later than the date at Annex A. Final deliverables to the Trust no later than four weeks before CIF submission close.

4. Fee
Fixed fee against the scope above. Variations to be priced separately and approved by the Trust in writing.

5. Evaluation
Quality 25 | Experience 15 | Resource 10 | Fee 20 | Programme & method 10 | Risk 10 | Social value 10 (see /procurement-pack).
Last reviewed against CIF 2026-27 round, RIBA POW 2020 and BB103/BB104 on 24 June 2026.