Procurement for new service family homes moves forward
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) to five companies as it seeks to build up to 359 new homes for service families at a Staffordshire barracks.
The new properties will be built as part of the BORONA Programme at Beacon Barracks in Stafford, which is to be redeveloped following an announcement by the MOD in July of 2011 that it is to become the home of two additional signal regiments.
DIO’s priority is providing support to Forces staff and their families and this development will provide high-quality accommodation for them as they prepare for operations. It may also provide sub-contracting opportunities for Staffordshire businesses.
The organisation has issued ITTs to:
- Seddon Construction Ltd;
- Lend Lease Construction (EMEA)Ltd;
- Lovell Partnerships Ltd;
- Mansell Construction Services Ltd; and
- Thomas Vale Construction plc.
The requirement, estimated to be worth £55-65 million, is for the construction of the houses as well as landscaping and utilities services supplies. Five companies were selected as part of the procurement process started in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) in December 2012. They must submit tenders to DIO by September 2013.
Service Family Accommodation delivered will support the BORONA Programme’s development of Beacon Barracks. Although the new homes will occupy adjacent land to the main site redevelopment, the work is a separate development and is running in parallel.
Stuart Gallacher, DIO Principal Project Manager, said:
“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces and their families. This project will be of great benefit to existing and rebasing troops, as well as the wider economy. We are delighted to issue ITTs to these companies and look forward to receiving their tenders.
“Whilst the MOD believes this work must be co-ordinated by a single prime contractor to ensure value-for-money, we are committed to improving the prospects of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) in large scale projects such as this. We will, therefore, liaise with Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce to provide details of those companies invited to tender, which will allow local businesses to approach for subcontracting opportunities.”
These details have also been published in Defence Contracts Online, which provides a free gateway to new business opportunities for large and small companies who wish to compete for MOD business as a prime or sub-contractor.
The development will not only welcome home the soldiers from Germany, but also allow for a more coherent basing arrangement for the Army. At the same time, it will make better use of the MOD estate in the UK delivering a high-quality sustainable development.
John Waterhouse, the BORONA Programme Team leader, said:
“This project is a vital ingredient in support of the MOD’s investment in Stafford making excellent use of MOD-owned land offering a first class environmental solution where people and their place of work sit side by side.”
Ends
Further information:
Press enquiries to:
Tony Moran, DIO Communications Manager: 0121 311 3879 or tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Notes to editors
1. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties 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 to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, our heritage is protected and to achieve our environmental goals.
3. The BORONA Programme is responsible for the overall project management of the move of the two Signal Regiments, plus other moves from Germany. For more information on the BORONA Programme, please see www.army.mod.uk/BORONA
4. Defence Contracts Online features an electronic advertising service (e-Notice system) which allows companies who wish to compete for MOD business to see MOD procurement opportunities. The opportunities are updated daily through the MOD Procurement Portal (www.contracts.mod.uk) and published every two weeks in the Defence Contracts Bulletin magazine (DCB).
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