‘Are facilitation payments the same as bribery?’

The company I work for is building a series of apartments in Dorset. The heating contractor has offered me an opportunity to ensure we get their best people and a faster delivery of the projects, if we can guarantee him the next six contracts. In return, the contractor is willing to provide me with what he’s referred to as a facilitation payment, once the contracts are secured. Is that ok legally, and what are the risks, if any, of accepting the payment?