InForm: News, views and updates from the GPA (April 2022)
UK property predictions; 'Greening up' the Government estate; Launching new procurement competitions; Social Value in government procurement; Government Hubs...
Bringing together news, views and updates from across the Government Property Agency
WELCOME TO INFORM, APRIL 22
Alan Whitelaw, Property Director
Our mission in the GPA is to provide great places to work for civil servants. We do this by driving industry-leading deals, procuring the best-in-class suppliers, and hiring people that are inspired to deliver some of the most high-profile initiatives on the Government’s agenda. Through our quarterly newsletter, we hope to keep you InForm(ed) on a number of key pieces of work and priority activities we have underway.
Our role in delivering the Government’s property strategy covers the management of the Government’s office and warehouse portfolios, and the roll-out of the property elements of the Levelling Up agenda and Net Zero initiative.
We combine public sector know-how with commercial acumen to provide a service to central government departments through the management of an integrated and shared estate (currently 700,000 sq m) working with commercial partners to deliver property strategies, asset management, property technology, facilities management and security services.
Through the Government Hubs Programme, we are delivering modern, sustainable and digitally-connected workplaces that focus on supporting productivity and wellbeing in a hybrid-working world. Through the Workplace Services Transformation Programme, we are introducing regional, people-centred, data-driven facilities management contracts that will support civil servants across the United Kingdom.
In this issue:
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UK property predictions
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Greening up the Government estate
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Social value in Government procurement
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Supply partner update
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Latest property and financial services competition
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On track to award new TFM contract
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Preparing to release ITT procurement
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Capital Programme progress
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OneEstate improving productivity, flexibility and reporting
SOCIAL VALUE IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT: The differentiating factor in bid evaluation
In today’s world, the achievement of Social Value outcomes is a key priority for the UK Government. The Government Commercial Function in particular has enabled wider public benefit as a central target of its approach to public procurement activities. As the Government’s delivery body for its office and warehouse portfolio, we intend to remain at the forefront of Social Value achievement. We are ensuring our work brings a Social Return on Investment to the Civil Service and all UK citizens.
The new requirement for mandatory evaluation of Social Value within procurement activities gives us an excellent opportunity to be at the forefront of Social Value creation. From January 2021 all commercial procurements should specifically evaluate Social Value within their award criteria when conducting competitive tenders, as per Procurement Policy Notice (PPN) 06/20. This PPN applies to all procurements covered by the Procurement Contracts Regulations 2015 and applies to all Central Government Departments, their Executive Agencies (including the GPA) and Non Departmental Public Bodies.
This policy is a significant step forward from the Social Value Act (2012) which set out that Social Value only had to be ‘considered’ during commercial activities. A minimum of 10% weighting should now be given to Social Value in each procurement, to give meaning to and allow Social Value to potentially be the differentiating factor in bid evaluation. We intend to go a step further in strategic procurements by applying a 15% weighting to Social Value where possible. This will undoubtedly further the public benefits gained from our procurement activities.
Given our planned growth in the construction and property sectors, there is huge scope and opportunity for Social Value creation across all disciplines and directorates. We are exploring the opportunity to potentially extend this requirement to all property transactions, such as leases.
When considering Social Value and how they might put themselves in the best position to achieve high marks , we recommend that suppliers familiarise themselves with the Government’s Social Value Model (SVM). The SVM is the foundation on which all government departments build their Social Value requirements and target outcomes. It is used to draft both Social Value evaluation questions for tender, and Social Value performance indicators for the life of the contract.
When drafting an answer to the Social Value question, suppliers will be asked to describe the commitment their organisation will make to ensure that opportunities under the contract deliver the chosen Policy Outcomes and Award Criterium from the Social Value Model. Having a good understanding of each policy outcome prior to tender will allow suppliers to ensure that they have plans in place, and the ability to make the strongest Social Value commitments.
Suppliers could also be asked to include:
- A Method Statement stating how they will achieve this and how their commitment meets the Award Criteria
- A timed project plan and process, including how they will implement their commitment and by when. Also, how they will monitor, measure and report on their commitments/the impact of their proposals
- Details of how they will influence staff, suppliers, customers and communities through the delivery of the contract to support the Policy Outcome, e.g. engagement, co-design/creation, training and education, partnering/collaborating, volunteering
We are planning to publish a Social Value Plan, which will highlight our key priorities for the year ahead and include details of our Social Value achievements so far.
WORKPLACE SERVICES TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME: Supply partner update
The Workplace Services Transformation Programme (WSTP) is a strategic investment programme for the GPA. This will help to build and run workplace services that evolve to respond to clients’ needs and our growing property portfolio. The Programme will promote productivity, drive delivery and space optimisation, and ultimately deliver savings.
The WSTP’s Supply Chain Project (SCP) will replace the existing set of inherited and tactical workplace services contracts with a consistent set of GPA-procured supply chain contracts. This will enhance our capability through the appointment of a strategic delivery partner - the Workplace Services Performance Partner.
We held a number of events with suppliers to share our approach as well as gather their feedback. We looked at three Crown Commercial Service (CCS) frameworks:
- RM6168 Estate Management Services – for our Performance Partner
- RM6089 Workplace Services (FM Marketplace Phase 2) – for our Security Contracts
- RM3830 - Facilities Management Marketplace – for our Hard FM and Soft FM Contracts
Sessions were held over six months in three stages:
- Stage 1: Market Engagement Sessions - to explore the Target Operating Model (TOM) for the Performance Partner Solution
- Stage 2: Introductory Market Engagement - supply chain activity (excluding Performance Partner)
- Stage 3: Focused Market Engagement - all supply chain activity
- Stages 3b & 3c: SFG20 Functional Model webinars with interested suppliers from the RM3830 and RM6089 frameworks
We are also planning two additional sessions:
- Stages 3d Supply Market Update Event (proposed Spring 2022)
- Stages 3e Supply Market Update Event (to be held if required)
COMPETITION PIPELINE
The indicative high-level timeline for the procurement competition pipeline of activity is:
| Competition | Tenders Issued |
|---|---|
| Competition 1 - Regional Supply Chain Performance Partner | mid-June 2022 |
| Competition 2 - Security Contract for (Technical Services) | end-June 2022 |
| Competition 3 - Regional Security Contract for (Security Services) | end-June 2022 |
| Competition 4 - Regional Hard FM & Soft FM Contracts (including Catering) Lot 1B | mid-July 2022 |
| Competition 5 - Regional Hard FM & Soft FM Contracts (including Catering) Lot 1C | end-July 2022 |
NB: We are sharing these dates on a best endeavours basis and therefore these dates may be subject to change.
ON TRACK TO AWARD NEW TFM CONTRACT AT TWO OF OUR GOVERNMENT HUBS
In December 2021, the Government Property Agency (GPA) successfully issued a tender using the CCS RM3830 framework Lot 1B. This opportunity is to deliver a Total Facilities Management (TFM) service at two of our upcoming Government Hubs - Peterborough and Darlington - as well as a recently transferred site in Manchester.
This contract will provide an interim TFM solution to these buildings whilst we continue planning our long-term Strategic Workplace Services Supply Chain Contract. We have taken lessons learnt from our previous contracts as well as feedback from the market to improve the specification, pricing and performance measures included in this opportunity.
Rachael James GPA’s commercial lead for the project said; “The commercial team and workplace services colleagues, with some great support from the Crown Commercial Service, have worked hard to deliver a solution at pace. The new contract will be critical in providing the GPA with additional TFM capacity to provide continuity and meet customer needs.
We continue to improve how we attract and work with partners and suppliers to ensure we appeal to best-in-class service providers, which allows us to continue to deliver the most suitable solutions to our clients.”
Tenders have been received and evaluated. We are awaiting final approvals before proceeding to contract.
PREPARING TO RELEASE ITT PROCUREMENT AS PART OF OUR WORKPLACE SERVICES TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME
The Government Property Agency (GPA) is currently building the Workplace Services Transformation Programme (WSTP) Supply Chain Procurements in partnership with Commercial Crown Services (CCS). These new procurements will ensure we deliver a transformed, shared, sustainable and value for money government estate which supports civil servants to work productively in every nation and region of the UK.
We have inherited, and will continue to inherit, mixed commercial arrangements for service delivery as we expand our portfolio across the UK. These pre-existing arrangements include a range of ineffective and unsustainable contract periods, specifications and performance levels.
We are introducing a new set of disaggregated regional workplace service contracts covering: Customer Comfort and Safety (broadly replacing hard facilities management); Customer Support and Community (broadly replacing soft facilities management including catering and ICT services); and Customer Security and Response.
To facilitate this, we are building five procurements which include: Performance Partner (Integrator); Hard and Soft facilities management; Security Services; and Security Technical.
Progress to date has included the enhancement of existing specifications, three stages of market engagement, and multiple internal and external engagement sessions. All of this is working towards staggering the Procurements through June and July 2022.
We are keen to have input from key stakeholders as the end users of these future contracts, and will soon be reaching out to understand their appetite in taking part in the evaluation of these procurements.
Sam Welch, commercial lead, said; “We’re using lessons learned from inherited contracts, as well as feedback from suppliers, GPA clients and the wider market, together with guidance from the CCS to evolve how we procure and deliver services across the Government’s office portfolio.”
GPA’S CAPITAL PROGRAMME PROGRESS CONTINUES
Our vision is a transformed, shared, sustainable and value for money government estate supporting civil servants to work productively in every nation and region of the UK.
Our strategic objectives are:
- Supporting growth across the UK
- Supporting Civil Service Reform
- Contributing to Net Zero
- Better value
We are delivering these strategic objectives through a number of inter-related programmes:
- Government Hubs Programme
- Whitehall Campus Programme
- Smarter Working Programme
- Lifecycle Replacement Programme
- Net Zero Programme
- Workplace Services Transformation Programme
Our Capital Projects team is recognised as the delivery partner for a number of our client government departments. We are also leading the Government Hubs and Whitehall Campus programmes. We have structured our team to provide a regionally-focused approach (North including Scotland and Northern Ireland; Central and South including Wales; and London). This ensures the continued delivery of our committed, large-scale and complex programme portfolio and projects. This provides a clear alignment with clients and colleagues and supports our regional and portfolio planning.
GOVERNMENT HUBS PROGRAMME
The Government Hubs Programme is more than just buildings. It is a catalyst for a more fundamental change leading to the modernisation of the Civil Service.
- Support the Government’s strategic requirements to relocate 22,000 civil servants out of London and consolidate 37,000 FTE in the regions by 2030
- Closure of c134 government buildings (c60 offices in central London, c74 regional offices)
- Development of 16 office Hubs in the regions to accommodate the c 53,400 staff
- Refurbishing 3 buildings 3-8, 22-26, and 55 Whitehall plus a partial restack of 100 Parliament Street and 1 Horse Guards Road
- Achieve a shared vision of transforming central government’s ageing office estate, ensuring it is more efficient, digitally connected and will support modern ways of working
In addition, a number of our client-funded projects are significant in scale and greatly increase the scope of the built infrastructure programme we are delivering. For example, we provided advisory support to BEIS in its successful bid to retain the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) in the UK, and to relocate it to the University of Reading campus. We are continuing to support BEIS with the development plans for this landmark Net Zero Carbon new facility. Find out more about the ECMWF relocation here.
In locations such as York and Manchester, the proposed Hubs will help to unlock a much larger urban regeneration opportunity on some of the largest redevelopment sites in the UK. In Darlington, we are delivering the Government’s North East Economic Campus that will provide accommodation for circa 1,600 staff from across six economic-facing government departments.
We will provide more detail on all of our projects in future editions, but as an introduction here are two examples of recent projects opened for business in 2021 and two major projects currently under construction.
Birmingham, 23 Stephenson Street 2021
By the Government Property Agency, in partnership with Atkins, AECOM and ISG
The redevelopment of disused retail space adjacent to Birmingham New Street station, providing 10,220 square metres of collaborative, smarter working space, over nine floors for up to 1,700 civil servants from more than 20 Government departments. The Birmingham Hub has been shortlisted in four categories in the Constructing Excellence West Midlands Awards:
- Building Project of the Year
- Conservation and Regeneration Award
- Digital Award
- Net Zero Award
A variety of working spaces are available to civil servants which they choose from depending on their needs.
External photo of the refurbished building at 23 Stephenson Street, Birmingham.
Wolverhampton, i9 building 2021
For the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Northern HQ
By the Government Property Agency in partnership with Atkins Ltd
Fit-out of the i9 building to create the first ministerial department outside of London. It houses Ministers, senior civil servants and hundreds of staff in 12,000 sq ft on two floors. The i9 building is located at the heart of Wolverhampton’s new £150 million Interchange.
External photo of the new i9 building in Wolverhampton
Peterborough, Fletton Quays 2023
Bridehall Developments has completed the Base Build CAT A construction phase. We are now moving into the CAT B fit-out stage, which will be delivered by Overbury. The programme is on schedule to welcome clients from DEFRA and other Departments in January 2023.
Left: External photo of the building showing the completion of the CAT A construction phase.
Right: Exterior view showing the Attenuation pond and hard landscaping completed with close to 10,000 plants in place.
Left: The public-facing entrance.
Right: A typical floor at completion of the main construction works
Croydon, 2 Ruskin Square 2023
The Croydon Hub will provide the Home Office with modern collaborative space for over 5,000 civil servants, with the ground and first floors providing additional customer interaction areas. Construction by Lendlease on behalf of the developer Stanhope/Schroder, Croydon Gateway Ltd is on programme to deliver a Pioneer Project for the Better Buildings Partnership for Nabers UK/Design for Performance.
The building has achieved full height with all floors constructed, and the façade being installed at pace. Work has been completed on the RIBA stage 3 design for the client fit-out with tenders now under review. We remain on programme for client in-service date of September 2023.
Left: The North West corner of the building, with the tower crane and lifting platform. When the building is occupied this will form a dedicated entrance for the public.
Right top and bottom: Facade being installed.
Bottom middle: Looking out over the double-height staff entrance.
WHITEHALL CAMPUS PROGRAMME
The Whitehall Campus Programme will dispose of 67 offices (31 closed to date) and support the relocation of 22,000 roles out of London to the regions, 16,500 FTE by December 2025 and a further 5,500 FTE by December 2030. Of the offices retained in central London, they will be refurbished/reconfigured as required to deliver a Whitehall Campus, funded by the Capital Programme savings to transform the Government’s Central London Estate.
By March 2025 the Programme will have delivered the refurbishment of the following buildings:
* 3-8 Whitehall Place and 55 Whitehall
We have a pre-Construction Services Agreement in place to award the refurbishment contract to BW: Workplace Experts.
3-8 Whitehall Place built was in the 1950's on the site of the original Scotland Yard. (Photo credit below)
55 Whitehall, London, (on the left) is an Edwardian building and carries a Grade II* listing. It has many significant internal heritage features which will be kept.
* 22-26 Whitehall
The programme has reached a key milestone with the completion of the design stage recognised as Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stage 2: Concept Design and the project has now progressed to Stage 3: Developed Design.
22-26 Whitehall, London, comprises three buildings; Ripley’s Building, built in 1726 and is Grade I listed; small elements of the OAB (Former Admiralty Offices) which is also Grade I listed and Kirkland House, which is unlisted. The building’s frontage to Whitehall is adjacent the Trafalgar Studios, formerly the site of the Whitehall Theatre built in 1930 to the designs of E.A. Stone. (Photo credit below)
Photo credits:
3-8 Whitehall:
London 074 Dept of Energy 3 Whitehall Place
by David Holt, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
22-26 Whitehall:
Admiralty Screen (411824276) by Steve Cadman, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
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GPA’S OneEstate IS IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY, FLEXIBILITY AND REPORTING
Our OneEstate initiative is a series of interoperable digital products that is allowing civil servants from our client departments to work flexibly, from any location and on the go. It is also improving the data we capture to make better informed decisions and provide more transparent reporting.
We have recognised limitations in some of our supplier contracts, which has made it difficult to support our clients to access some technologies for their own needs. We are currently in a strategic procurement process across our entire product range to improve this situation. Our intention is to have long-term partnerships with suppliers as we develop our regional Hubs and Whitehall Campus, as well as have contracts that are designed to allow our clients to leverage the same technology for their own needs.
Shared Network
Our shared network is now fully operational across three Hubs, and is being installed in two further properties over the next few months. This is enabling multiple departments to share a common network infrastructure in a single building.
GovWifi
GovWifi was confirmed as a live service in 2021. It is being rolled out across Government buildings as the standard for wifi connectivity. We have identified some buildings with limited performance and bandwidth, and are working with the Cabinet Office to improve the service in these locations. But overall, analysis is showing greater reliability.
GovWifi is the seamless connection to the wifi within a building. Once a user has registered with the service, GovWifi will continue to connect automatically as the default provider when in any GovWifi-enabled building.
GovPass
Our new GovPass - common access pass - solution was developed in collaboration with the Government Security Group. It is now installed in five properties, with more planned this financial year. This includes some of London’s most iconic properties.
GovPass is also being extended from the sole purpose of a common access pass to allow occupancy reporting. We expect to pilot GovPass for occupancy reporting from March. When enabled, it will allow clients to receive automated occupancy reports from their access control systems via the GPA.
GovPrint
GovPrint - the centralised networked printing service - is now installed in a small number of buildings and is reducing the number of printers required. We are working closely with HMRC to pilot GovPrint in its Hubs with an intention of a wider roll out.
Development of GovPrint 2 is underway with initial discussions with print solution suppliers. We hope to have this available in the next 12 months, building on the success of the first generation product.
Occupancy
The GPA is now monitoring level 1 occupancy across 23 properties. This means we are capturing the number of people in a specific building. The data is currently being collected from a combination of digital and manual processes. We have also completed a contract to deploy sensor based capabilities to 12 properties, and will continue to increase this over the next three years.
Audio Visual
Our audio visual standard has now been successfully installed in several Hubs. We’ve also improved equipment in meeting rooms to support collaborative working across the UK. And we are now looking to evolve this solution further to provide better services based on lessons learned from previous installations and the impact of Covid. We hope to publish this updated standard over the coming weeks.
Procurement
Our range of interoperable products is offering an exciting mix of benefits to our clients. And we continue to develop and evolve these products in collaboration with our partners, and based on client needs and industry trends.