Defence Estates (DE) has revealed the MOD's plans for a series of estate procurement industry events, and launched an online directory of potential bidders to assist subcontractors and supply chain companies identify possible commercial opportunities.

As part of DE's Next Generation Estate Contracts (NGEC) programme, the MOD will hold an industry day for each prime contract and each national and regional Capital Works Framework, following the expressions of interest (EOI) stage.

The one-day events will be held at Defence venues (to be confirmed) around the UK. They will be held on an invitation-only basis, principally for companies which have submitted expressions of interest as potential prime contractors or framework main contractors.

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In addition companies which have requested places at specific industry days as potential subcontractors or supply chain members during the EOI period, and military customer representatives, will also be invited to attend.

Industry days will be followed by a "bidders' conference" for each contract after the pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) stage, exclusively for those companies short-listed to tender bids.

DE has also launched an online NGEC Potential Bidder Directory providing details of potential bidders - subject to their agreement - for each contract, to facilitate supply chain networking between potential subcontractors, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and potential main/prime contractors. Details of the potential bidders for each contract will be added to the directory as the corresponding industry day is held.

Steve Rice, Head of the NGEC programme, said: "During this period of significant change across Government, sound engagement and communication with industry are essential to the procurement process.

"I am determined that through these industry days we should be setting out our requirements clearly and openly, to ensure that potential bidders get the best possible chance to demonstrate their merits.

"We also want to support small and medium-sized enterprises in identifying and researching supply chain opportunities, and the online NGEC Potential Bidder Directory is one way in which we hope to achieve this."

(CD/KMcA)