News story

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.

• From: Defence Infrastructure Organisation
• Published: 3 May 2013

A 617 Squadron Tornado GR4 flies over RAF Lossiemouth

Hosted at Redford Cavalry Barracks in Edinburgh, the event focussed on the new NGEC Capital Works Framework Scotland.

The Scotland Framework is one of 6 UK regional Capital Works Frameworks that will be used to deliver construction projects valued at up to £12 million, alongside the National Capital Works Framework for projects valued up to £50 million.

Attended by delegates from around 80 businesses, of which more than half have an established presence in Scotland, the event saw industry delegates receive 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. DIO’s Jon Wooden spoke on the Frameworks Programme in the context of the wider NGEC programme.

Delegates learned more about 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, organisations which submitted expressions of interest in the framework have agreed to being listed in the NGEC Potential Bidders Directory.

Procurement of the Framework began in March, 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.

Each Framework will have a maximum of 5 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 4 years, with the option to extend them for up to a further 3 years

Published 3 May 2013