NEC4 Facilities Management Contracts
![]() |
Contents[hide] |
[edit] Introduction
On 21 June 2021, NEC and the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) announced the publication of the final edition of the NEC4 suite of facilities management contracts (FM contracts).
The pre-publication version of the NEC4 FM contracts was announced on 26 January 2021. Subsequently, the preliminary version was supported by the publication of two NEC white papers designed to provide information about key features. The white papers included:
- Key Features of the NEC4 Facilities Management Contracts (January 2021).
- NEC4 TSC and FMC Compared (May 2021).
[edit] The development process
The final edition of the set of contracts is intended for the procurement of facilities management FM services. It supports a range of approaches including total FM/integrated services FM contracts, managing contractor FM contracts and single and/or multiple supplier FM contracts.
It was created to help identify best practices in the sector and establish the way forward. The contracts and their supporting documents will help the FM sector to offer more integrated and consistent procurement strategies, add value to the supply chain and develop stronger, more collaborative relationships and ways of working.
[edit] Scope of NEC4 FM contracts
The NEC4 FM contracts suite consists of four contracts, six user guides and two flow charts as well as introductory training from NEC. It covers most FM procurement and delivery strategies.
The components of the suite can be used in a wide variety of commercial situations or locations and are written in clear, simple terms. The four contracts of the full suite include:
- Facilities Management Contract (FMC) - to be used by a client to appoint a provider to manage and deliver any type of facilities management services.
- Facilities Management Subcontract (FMS) - to be used by a FM provider to appoint a subcontractor to help deliver its service.
- Facilities Management Short Contract (FMSC) - to be used to appoint an FM provider to deliver any type of straightforward, low-risk services which do not require sophisticated management techniques.
- Facilities Management Short Subcontract (FMSS) - to accompany the FMSC and cover the same services for subcontractors.
[edit] IWFM involvement
IWFM supported the development of the suite through its IWFM NEC steering group. This group made significant contributions during the three-year development process by offering insight as well as workplace examples for NEC4 FM contracts and its supporting documents.
The project built on many years of collaborations between the two organisations on NEC3 contracts and brought together parallel work streams from both groups. It combined NEC research to identify best practices in the FM industry - including stakeholder workshops with IWFM members, as well as consultations with specific stakeholders - with a need identified by IWFM volunteers within its International and Procurement Special Interest Groups (ISIG) for a new approach to FM industry standard contracts. In particular, the 2016 ISIG-supported Leaders Forum, Outsourcing Across Borders, outlined the rationale and benefits of an FM standard contract.
NEC and IWFM produced a series of practice notes to help the FM community use the contracts. These practice notes address region-specific issues and support users in dealing with emerging considerations, such as the 2020/2021 COVID-19 pandemic.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Construction contract.
- Facilities management.
- Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management IWFM.
- Maintenance contracts - a guide to best practice for procurement.
- Managing the procurement process.
- NEC articles.
- NEC4.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
A brief description of a smart construction dashboard, collecting as-built data, as a s site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure bill oulined
With reactions from IHBC and others on its potential impacts.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.