MOD announces £1bn Project SLAM award

The award of the £1bn Prime Contract for Phase One of Defence Estate's Single Living Accommodation Modernisation (SLAM) project has gone to Birmingham-based Debut consortium, led by Bovis Lend Lease and Babcock Support Services.

The Debut consortium was chosen as preferred bidder in September, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed today (Wednesday) that Debut had secured the contract.

Project SLAM's first five-year phase is expected to start by May 2003 on selected sites, with these sites ready for occupation from May 2004.

Secretary of state for defence, Geoff Hoon, said: "Investing in SLAM will make a real difference to a large number of personnel across the ranks and a considerable contribution to recruitment, retention and morale."

"Service personnel have been widely consulted to ensure that the project will best meet their needs and aspirations. Upgrading on a predominantly single room on an en-suite basis will increase the space available and improve privacy," added Hoon.

In some cases, existing accommodation will be demolished and rebuilt to provide new facilities, while other buildings will be refurbished.

Project SLAM will cover work in England and Wales, with parallel projects in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Cyprus and other overseas locations.