The Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF), explained
The CWMF is the framework Irish public sector bodies use when they spend public funds on construction projects and related consultancy. It sets the standard contracts, the conditions of engagement, the cost control tools and the guidance. Which contract and which advertising rules apply depends on your contract value and works type, so the calculator below works that out from the current thresholds.
Which threshold applies to your contract?
Enter the estimated value (excluding VAT) and the type of contract. The result is computed from the current EU and Irish national thresholds.
Figures verified 2026-05-29. EU thresholds from the European Commission (2026-2027 biennium), Irish national thresholds from the OGP (Circular 05/2023). Always confirm the current figure and the exact procedure on the official notice before you rely on it.
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The four pillars of the CWMF
The framework is organised into four pillars. This is the structure published on the official framework site, checked on 15 July 2026.
Pillar 1
Public Works Contracts
The standard forms of contract for building and civil engineering works funded with public money.
Pillar 2
Standard Conditions of Engagement
The standard terms for engaging construction consultants (for example architects, engineers, quantity surveyors).
Pillar 3
Cost Planning Control and Suitability Assessment
The tools and templates for planning and controlling project cost and for assessing the suitability of tenderers.
Pillar 4
Guidance
The guidance notes that explain how to apply the framework across the life of a project.
Which Pillar 1 contract form applies?
Select your engagement type, works type, design responsibility, and scale to identify the applicable standard form. Decision table verified against cwmf.gov.ie Pillar 1 on 24 July 2026.
Which CWMF contract form applies?
Answer the questions below to identify the standard form. Always confirm the form and procedure on the official notice before proceeding.
Decision table verified against constructionprocurement.gov.ie on 24 July 2026. The CWMF has been under interim amendment since 2023. Confirm the exact form and procedure on the official notice before relying on this.
All Pillar 1 contract forms (PW-CF)
The reference table below lists all current standard forms in Pillar 1. Forms PW-CF7 through PW-CF11 cover specialist situations (investigation works, framework agreements, early collaboration, and term maintenance) not covered by the selector above.
| Form | Name | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| PW-CF1 | Building Works designed by the Employer | Standard form for building works where the contracting authority (employer) is responsible for the design. |
| PW-CF2 | Building Works designed by the Contractor | Standard form for building works procured on a design-and-build basis, where the contractor is responsible for the design. |
| PW-CF3 | Civil Engineering Works designed by the Employer | Standard form for civil engineering works where the contracting authority (employer) is responsible for the design. |
| PW-CF4 | Civil Engineering Works designed by the Contractor | Standard form for civil engineering works procured on a design-and-build basis, where the contractor is responsible for the design. |
| PW-CF5 | Minor Works, Building and Civil Engineering Works | Simplified contract for small-scale building or civil engineering works. Applies where a short-form contract is appropriate for the scale and complexity. |
| PW-CF6 | Short Form of Contract | Brief and flexible contract suitable for straightforward, low-value works where a simplified approach is warranted. |
| PW-CF7 | Investigation Works Contract | Contract for investigation or survey works (e.g. ground investigations, structural surveys) where the investigation scope is the primary deliverable. |
| PW-CF8 | Short Investigation Works Contract | Shorter form of the investigation contract for simpler or lower-value investigation commissions. |
| PW-CF9 | Public Works Framework Agreement | Framework agreement contract for establishing a panel of contractors from which works can be called off without running a full tender each time. |
| PW-CF10 | Early Collaboration Contract | Contract for early-collaboration phases on very large or complex projects where the contractor is engaged before the design is finalised. |
| PW-CF11 | Term Maintenance and Refurbishment Contract | Contract for ongoing term maintenance, repair, and minor refurbishment works carried out on a schedule-of-rates basis over a fixed period. |
Pillar 2: Conditions of Engagement (consultancy)
Consultancy engagements (architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, archaeologists) use the Standard Conditions of Engagement, not the Pillar 1 works contracts.
| Form | Name | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| SCOE1 | Standard Conditions of Engagement for Consultancy Services | Used when engaging architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and other construction consultants on public works projects. |
| SCOE2 | Standard Conditions of Engagement for Archaeology Services | Used when engaging archaeological consultants on public works projects requiring archaeological investigation or monitoring. |
When the CWMF applies
The CWMF is for public sector bodies spending public funds on construction projects and related consultancy services in Ireland. A private construction contract is not governed by it. Once a project is public works, the framework sets the contract and the process, and the value decides whether the opportunity is advertised nationally on eTenders or EU-wide. Public works reach the national advertising threshold at €200,000 and the EU works threshold at €5,404,000.
Questions bidders ask
What is the CWMF?
The Capital Works Management Framework is the Irish set of standard contracts, conditions of engagement, cost control tools and guidance for public sector bodies spending public funds on construction projects and related consultancy services. It is built on four pillars: Public Works Contracts, Standard Conditions of Engagement, Cost Planning Control and Suitability Assessment, and Guidance.
Which contract form do I use?
The contracting authority selects the form based on the works type, how the design responsibility is split, and the scale of the project. The standard public works contracts sit in Pillar 1 of the framework (PW-CF1 through PW-CF11). Use the form selector on this page to identify the applicable form, then confirm the exact form and procedure on the official notice before relying on it.
What threshold applies to my contract?
It depends on the value and type. Public works must be advertised nationally on eTenders at or above €200,000, and advertised EU-wide at or above the EU works threshold of €5,404,000. Use the calculator on this page to see the band, the advertising duty and the directive that applies to your value.
Keep going
- Value engineering in Irish public works contracts
- Performance bonds in Irish public works contracts
- Live Irish construction tenders
- Active framework agreements and renewal dates
- Free bid templates and checklists
Sources
- Framework structure and scope: constructionprocurement.gov.ie (checked 15 July 2026).
- EU thresholds: European Commission published thresholds.
- Irish national thresholds: gov.ie Office of Government Procurement.
Threshold figures verified 2026-05-29. The CWMF has been under interim amendment since 2023, so confirm the current contract form and procedure on the official notice before you rely on it.