CITY of Edinburgh councillors will be asked to approve the award of separate contracts for the potential Trams to Newhaven project this week.
The Finance and Resources Committee will consider reports detailing the outcome of a “comprehensive and rigorous” procurement process, which was carried out late last year, this Thursday (7 March).
The two contracts recommended for award are a Swept Path Contract, to Morrison Utility Services (MUS), and an Infrastructure & Systems contract to Sacyr Farrans Neopul Joint Venture (SFN JV).
Under the Swept Path Contract, the council is procuring a specialist contractor, managed directly by the client team, to work ahead of the Infrastructure & Systems contractor to identify and clear any below ground obstructions along the tram route.
The Infrastructure & Systems Contract covers the design and construction, systems integration, testing, commissioning and bringing into operation service of the Edinburgh Tram York Place to Newhaven project.
If the committee votes to award the contracts, this is subject to a final decision on the Final Business Case by full council on 14 March. If the council votes to proceed, a six-month Early Contractor Involvement period will commence, during which the targeted cost will be fully developed, with SFN JV working closely with the project team to test buildability, undertake surveys, value engineer and develop their design.
Finance and Resources convener, councillor Alasdair Rankin commented, “The Trams to Newhaven project team has completed a comprehensive and rigorous procurement exercise to select preferred contractors for both elements of the project. This process has been exhaustive in its approach, taking on board substantial lessons learned from the previous projects and following best industry practice.
“The Finance and Resources Committee will carefully assess and scrutinise the outcome of this procurement process before arriving at a decision. Awarding the contracts will be subject to a final vote on the project by Council on 14 March.”
