TRANSPORT Scotland is inviting potential bidders from across the construction sector to provide their views on potential changes it is considering making to its standard contract terms.
The move comes after the organisation announced in February that a new procurement would be launched for the A9 dualling: Tomatin to Moy project, after just one tender – with a price ‘significantly higher than expected’ – was submitted to the initial process.
As a result, Transport Scotland officials have been ‘working at pace’ to update contracts in preparation for the new procurement. This has involved consultation with the Civil Engineering Contractors Association Scotland (CECA) and other industry partners.
The engagement aims to help Transport Scotland understand how its standard design and build contracts may be modified to become more attractive to construction industry suppliers. This, it said, would help generate greater competition in future procurement exercises and deliver better value for the public purse.
Following the initial engagement exercise, Transport Scotland is now inviting other potential bidders from across the industry to engage with it to provide their views on the changes Transport Scotland is considering making to its standard contract terms. Parties interested in taking part in this way can register their interest by contacting Transport Scotland’s project manager, Nick Conroy, at A9Dualling@transport.gov.scot.
Mr Conroy said, “Understanding the views of the market is an invaluable part of any procurement process. We regularly engage with industry stakeholders in our work, and it’s important that we listen to the industry to better understand the challenges they face in delivering critical infrastructure projects such as this. I look forward to further discussions with delivery partners in this next phase of engagement.”
