Estate procurement arm DIO has urged subcontrators and suppliers to approach shortlisted bidders to build strong supply chains.

The contract is being developed and procured under the Next Generation Estate Contracts programme, where progress on other outsourcing work has been delayed while procurement procedures are under review.

The National Training Estate Prime contract is worth up to £950m and will provide services ranging from managing air weapons ranges to providing laundry services or clearing snow and ice.

Steve Rice, Head of the NGEC Programme, said: “This contract covers a significant expanse of the Defence estate, including a wide variety of built assets, types of terrain and service outputs, requiring a first-rate prime contractor that is ready to deliver innovation and value for money.

“I am pleased that after a thorough evaluation of evidence submitted by the bidders we have achieved a strong shortlist of contenders.

“I would now urge smaller businesses to consider where and how they might contribute within supply chains, and to start liaising directly with the bidders.”

Key sites will include Salisbury Plain Training Area, Catterick Training Area, Dartmoor, Sennybridge, and Otterburn.

The MoD has also created an option for elements of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association  estate to be included in the contract scope.

Colonel Christopher Sloane, Commander Defence Training Estate, said: “A sound partnership with industry will be the key to supporting the training requirements of Defence.

“Industry will play a major role in running and maintaining the training estate, so it is vital that we identify the best possible private sector partner for this significant commercial arrangement.”

Contacts
Babcock Support Services Ltd
Contact: Mr Jeff Lightly
Jeff.lightly@babcock.co.uk

Kellogg Brown & Root Ltd and Balfour Beatty Workplace Ltd
Contact: Mr Jim Bowden
jim.bowden@kbr.com

Landmarc Support Services Ltd
Contact: Mr Mark Neill
mark.neill@landmarc.mod.uk

Serco Ltd, BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd and Kier Regional Ltd
Contact: Mr Jan Burgess
jan.burgess@serco.com

Supply chain activities:

Range and training area operations: provision of range warden duties, boundary signage, safety radar and surveillance equipment, advice and guidance on use of targets and targetry, provision of target designators and scoring technologies, provision of range communications facilities, provision of portable toilets, and disposal of military debris and explosive ordnance

Built estate management: allocation of accommodation, planned maintenance including cleaning, caretaking, waste disposal and recycling, electrical distribution systems

Rural estate management: services to the tenanted and hired estate, including rent collection, facility hirings, safeguarding activities such as responding to statutory consultations on town and country planning matters, and snow and ice clearance to maintain access to ranges

Forestry and conservation: long-term management plans for forestry, conservation and include forestry harvesting, scrub clearance, pest and vermin control

Catering: provision of a full meals service (food and ingredients are supplied under a separate MOD contract) in training camp dining rooms and canteens, and packed and container meals to troops deployed on training areas

National helpdesk: setting up and operating a 24-hour service covering maintenance and repairs and range bookings, including development and installation of networked hardware system

Landscaping: maintenance of soft and hard landscaping on ranges (e.g. grass height to enable target visibility), dry stone walling ,and of existing landscaped areas and fencing in built areas

Heritage: development and implementation of long-term maintenance plans for Defence sites and assets of cultural and historical significance, and provision of archaeological services