MoD reveals shortlist for £500m hard FM job

Four bidders have been shortlisted by the MoD to provide up to £500m of hard facilities management to the defence estate across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The shortlisted bidders are: Carillion, Interserve, Turner Facilities Management and Babcock Support Services.

The Regional Prime Scotland and Northern Ireland is the first of Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) four contracts to deliver maintenance and repairs at UK defence bases from 2013.

The contract is estimated to be worth between £300m and £500 – and spans a five year period. It will also include options for estate management and maintenance of rural areas, and smaller construction projects.

Steve Rice, head of DIO’s Next Generation Estate Contracts programme, said:

“DIO’s top priority is to support our Armed Forces as they prepare for operations, but value for money must underpin everything we do for the Defence frontline.

“This requires closer collaborative business partnering in key regions like Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“We’ve received a strong response to this contract opportunity, and the evaluation of pre-qualification questionnaires has been intensive but thorough.

“The onus is now on finding the right industry partner for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“I am delighted that we have a strong and competitive shortlist of bidders with whom to discuss our requirements.”

The DIO is encouraging bidders to link up with specialist subcontractors during the tendering process. A preferred bidder is expected to be announced by August 2012.