Ten private sector companies have been invited to tender for a new framework agreement to deliver construction projects across the UK Defence estate.

The companies shortlisted for the framework by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) are:

•Balfour Beatty Group Ltd

•BAM Construction Ltd

•Carillion Construction Ltd

•Interserve Construction Ltd

•Kier Graham

•Lend Lease Construction (EMEA) Ltd

•Miller Construction (UK) Ltd

•Morgan Sindall plc

•Skanska UK plc

•Wates Construction Ltd

The National Capital Works Framework will be used for the design and build of construction projects up to a value of £50 million. It will include up to 5 companies who will participate in ‘mini-competitions’ for individual projects. It is due to be awarded before the end of 2013 and will run for an initial 4-year period, with the potential to extend for up to 3 years.

The framework forms part of the DIO Next Generation Estate Contracts (NGEC) programme, and will operate alongside 6 regional capital works frameworks for projects valued below £12 million. It has an estimated value of between £250 million and £400 million over the 4-year period and could be used at any site across the UK estate.

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Last month, the shortlisted companies attended a bidders’ conference at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham focused on the tendering process and on the proposed operating model for the framework. Delegates were also taken step-by-step through a typical Defence construction project, looking at the processes involved, legislative influences, sustainability and other requirements.

Each tender will be rigorously evaluated based on the company’s approach to commercial and technical matters such as supply chain management, quality assurance, sustainable development, health and safety, and issues relating to the Government Construction Strategy. The tenderers have also been provided with a demonstration construction project and will be evaluated on their proposed approach to its delivery.

Steve Rice, Head of the NGEC programme, said: "Changes to UK military basing arrangements are expected to generate requirements for new capital works in the years ahead, and it is vital these are met flexibly and cost-effectively, enabling us to provide a Defence estate which meets military needs and supports our Armed Forces. Early in the NGEC programme our research determined that framework arrangements were the best mechanism to achieve this, and I am delighted that we have such a strong field of companies in the competition."

Tenders are due to be returned by mid-February 2013 and it is expected that the National Capital Works Framework agreements will be awarded before the end of 2013.

(CD/GK)