Twenty consultants have been shortlisted for a place on a £750m government framework

Capita Symonds, Faithful + Gould, Arup and Mace are among those in the running for the Office of Government Commerce’s list of recommended project managers. Each firm selected is expected to make about £17m a year in fees.

The existing framework has five members but is set to grow to include 10-12 firms or consortiums. A place on the four-year list prequalifies firms for project management jobs for a range of public bodies, including Whitehall departments, the NHS, councils, the police and other emergency services.

Firms are eager to make the grade as the public sector is seen as the most reliable source of work in the UK, following turmoil in the financial markets.

Members of the existing government framework, including Gardiner & Theobald, EC Harris, Lend Lease Projects, a Drivers Jonas and Davis Langdon consortium and Turner & Townsend, are on the shortlist, and have been asked to re-tender.

Others on the list include Cyril Sweett, Gleeds, Appleyards, Carillion’s TPS Schal and a consortium of Rider Levett Bucknall, architect Broadway Malyan, engineer URS and property firm Knight Frank. Engineers Parsons Brinckerhoff, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald, Mouchel, MWH and Pick Everard have also made the grade.

It is understood an final decision on which firms will be included will be made early next year.

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