£50m PFI job signalled

The Royal School of Signals has long-listed five organisations for its £50 million PFI project to overhaul its organisation at Blandford in Dorset.

The five consortia are led by: Assessment Services, GEC Marconi Electronic Systems, SERCO, International Computers, and Vosper Thornycroft. Invitations to submit outline proposals will be sent out at the end of this year with a start of contract due in spring 2000.

The RSS Blandford project involves the provision of technical and trade training, living accommodation and support services over a 10-year period. The consortia will submit proposals covering these areas and a range of optional services including facilities management, administration, transport and property management.

Mouchel Business Consultancy is helping the RSS to produce an outline business case to test the feasibility of public/private partnership for the project and is supplying technical, financial and commercial advice on the procurement of services.