MOD hosts industry event for Scottish construction projects

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has held an industry event in Edinburgh for businesses seeking construction opportunities on the Scottish military estate under its Next Generation Estate Contracts (NGEC) programme.

Hosted at Redford Cavalry Barracks in Edinburgh, the event focussed on the new NGEC Capital Works Framework Scotland. It was attended by delegates from around 80 businesses, of which more than half have an established presence in Scotland.

During the event the industry delegates received a series of briefings to raise awareness of the MOD requirements.

Speakers included Air Commodore Gerry Mayhew, Air Officer Scotland and station commander at RAF Leuchars, who described the issues from a military ‘estate-user’ perspective, and Jon Wooden, the NGEC Capital Works Frameworks project manager, who spoke on the current transformation of the DIO, and the Frameworks Programme in the context of the wider NGEC programme.

Delegates were also briefed on the types of project that might be delivered through the Scotland framework, including offices, accommodation blocks and technical facilities.

Air Commodore Gerry Mayhew, Air Officer Scotland and station commander at RAF Leuchars, said:

“With UK Defence undergoing transformation on all levels it is vital that military units continue to be supported by a good standard of facilities and infrastructure that can also be adapted as the requirement changes. Future DIO industry partners will need empathy for their military customers and a good understanding of the direction of travel for Defence.”

Jon Wooden, the NGEC Capital Works Frameworks project manager, said:

“The NGEC frameworks can be used to deliver a wide range of capital projects, so we are aiming to attract the very best businesses, from main contractors down to key suppliers of materials, components and services. The initial response from industry has been healthy and I would now encourage smaller businesses to consider how they might get involved.”

To help smaller businesses to network with potential bidders, a directory listing of organisations which submitted expressions of interest in the framework is (with their individual permission) now available via the online NGEC Potential Bidders Directory on the MOD website (see below for link).

Procurement of the Framework began in mid-March 2013, with DIO seeking expressions of interest from potential bidders. It is anticipated that a shortlist of between 5 and 12 bidders will be invited in September 2013 to submit tenders, with contract award likely in mid 2014.

The Scotland Framework is one of six UK regional Capital Works Frameworks that will be used to deliver construction projects valued at up to £12m, alongside the National Capital Works Framework for projects valued up to £50m.

Each Framework will have a maximum of 5 Framework Contractors awarded to it. The MOD will then seek competitive bids from these Contractors on a project-by-project basis. The frameworks will run for four years, with the option to extend them for up to a further three years.

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the MOD. We are responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
2. Our work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these and supporting services, such as soft facilities management and guarding, to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, heritage protected and environmental goals achieved.
3. The Next Generation Estate Contracts (NGEC) Programme is developing a new suite of contracts for the UK Defence estate, comprising four Regional Prime contracts for hard facilities management, the National Housing Prime contract, the National Training Estate Prime contract, and one national and six regional Capital Works Frameworks for construction projects.
4. The suite of Capital Works Frameworks comprise of a National Framework for larger value projects worth up to £50M ex VAT and six Regional Capital Frameworks (Scotland; the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber; the West Midlands and Wales; the East of England and East Midlands; the South East (including London); and the South West) used to deliver construction projects valued below £12m ex VAT.

Further information:

Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Senior Communications Officer 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk