Britain picks building project shortlist

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LONDON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Britain's Ministry of Defense says it has shortlisted 10 companies for a new framework contract for defense construction projects around the country.

The National Capital Works Framework for the designing and building of projects worth as much as $80.3 million will include up to five companies that will participate in "mini-competitions" for individual projects.

The contract will be awarded before the end of this year and will run for an initial 4-year period, with potential options for up to three years.

"The framework forms part of the (Defense Infrastructure Organization) Next Generation Estate Contracts program and will operate alongside six regional capital works frameworks for projects valued below ($19.2 million)," the Ministry of Defense said. "It has an estimated value of between ($401.7 million) and ($642.7 million) over the 4-year period and could be used at any site across the U.K. estate."

The shortlisted British companies are the Balfour Beatty Group Ltd.; BAM Construction Ltd.; Carillion Construction Ltd.; Interserve Construction Ltd.; Kier Graham; Lend Lease Construction Ltd.; Miller Construction (UK) Ltd.; Morgan Sindall plc; Skanska UK plc; and Wates Construction Ltd.

"Changes to U.K. military basing arrangements are expected to generate requirements for new capital works in the years ahead, and it is vital these are met flexibly and cost-effectively, enabling us to provide a Defense estate which meets military needs and supports our Armed Forces," said Steve Rice, head of the NGEC program.

"Early in the NGEC program our research determined that framework arrangements were the best mechanism to achieve this, and I am delighted that we have such a strong field of companies in the competition."

Tenders for the contract are due in mid-February.