Blackburn real estate contract open for bids
Blackburn with Darwen Council has launched the search for one or two providers to deliver property, highways and transport services, at a starting contract value of £4m which could increase to £200m.
The invitation for bids follows the council’s termination of a 15-year £200m outsourcing contract with Capita, which will see it take some services back in-house from June 2016, such as debtors and creditors, parking, and design and printing.
The property, highways and transport aspects are being retendered, and could see a renegotiated deal with Capita, or the selection of new provider.
The partnership agreement would be split into two lots.
The property services lot would cover property management, property advice and procurement, and architectural services, while a highways and transport services lot would deal with civil engineering, traffic management, public rights of way, street works and street lighting.
According to the tender notice released by the council, the contract would be a flexible arrangement which would allow the lots to be adapted to include other place-based services including regeneration, housing, environment and leisure functions.
The contract value is estimated at £4m, with an increase to £20m if the services delivered to Blackburn with Darwen Council are extended, and up to £200m if other local authorities agree to access the services.
The council said that the partnership would “help it meet its strategic objectives, deliver its ambitious plans for growth and regeneration of the borough, helping the council to make significant savings to help the council meet upcoming budget pressures and provide added social value to the borough”.
The deadline for receipt of tenders is 21 September at noon.