HA may stop competitive bidding

Exclusive by Glenda Thisdell



Contractors working for the Highways Agency (HA) could soon be working under long-term framework agreements, putting an end to competitive bidding for individual road schemes.

Last week the HA named 14 consulting firms that had been selected for five-year framework contracts in four regions. And, according to its procurement director Steve Rowsell, a similar arrangement may be reached with major contractors within 12 months.

Rowsell said a document outlining the procedure for reaching a contractors' framework arrangement would be published in the autumn. He declined to say how much money is expected to be saved through the consultants' framework scheme, but said that if it were mirrored on the contractors' side the savings could be "enormous".

From concept to delivery, road schemes currently take on average 10 years, but the agency wants to cut that to five or six.

The framework agreements reached with consultants last week are expected to shave two years off delivery times.

The consultants chosen for framework contracts will work with the HA to develop road solutions from feasibility studies through to design and public consultation, and may monitor work during construction.

The HA has been allocated £2.2bn to realise the government's 10-Year Transport Plan. Already, 49 "urgent" schemes have been identified or started. Also included in the plan are 30 bypasses, 80 junction improvements and 645km of motorway widening.