BAA ready to bundle forthcoming frameworks

The British Airports Authority (BAA) has set major contractors' mouths watering by announcing part of its retendering agenda for its second generation 10-year framework deals.

BAA is considering merging the £750m pavement works and £200m civils deals into one near-billion pound contract. A decision is due to be made before September when a preferred bidder from a shortlist of Amec Civils and a Laing/Fitzpatrick/Stenoak jv will emerge for the pavement works deal.

Next in line is the formation of the £300m Envelope framework, which includes roofing and cladding work. This is due to go the OJEC soon. BAA expecxts to make an award in five months' time.

The third bundle BAA is considering is the three building structure agreements. This would combine the structural steel, pre-cast and in-situ concrete deals currently held by Rowen Structures, Bison Structures and O'Rourke Civil Engineering respectively. This deal, to be known as Framework, will be worth £500m and is expected to be advertised in the OJEC in the next few months.

BAA is also considering its nine consultant agreements. These have been in place since 1996 and the likes of Ove Arup, Atkins, Taylor Woodrow and Bovis Lend Lease are involved.

Clive Coleman, general manager of BAA's fit-out division, said: "We need to analyse if we really need so many areas. We are considering an option to go for multi-disciplinary consultants. However it is still early days."