The initial contest to deliver the £95m restoration of the 99m tall Victoria Tower got underway in March last year but had to be called off because of a procurement blunder.

Bam, Sir Robert McAlpine and Wates are among the firms understood to have submitted PQQs.

Preaplications for the rebid need to be returned by 23 August, coincidently when temporary works were due to start under the original tender procedure.

The complex project will involve shrouding the 160-year-old tower in scaffolding, first to restore the crumbling masonry.

The project’s scaffolding will then also be used to complete conservation works to the window glazing, cast iron roof, rainwater drainage system and flagpole. This will save money by eliminating the need for future scaffolds to carry out these works.

Subject to further detailed analysis, the restoration programme will take around six years and cost in the region of £170m.

The Corporate Officers of the House of Lords and the House of Commons will use a NEC4 ECC Option B contract, to deliver temporary works, with subsequent conservation and repair work to follow.

Main work is now expected to start in 2025.

The questionnaire and tender documents are available from the Houses of Parliament’s e-procurement portal.