Tenders returned by three of four bidders for MoD prime contract

Defence Estates has received tender returns from three of the four bidders for its £700m-plus South West prime contract.

The Cirrus Prime Services consortia, consisting of Costain, Scott Wilson, and Group4, did not respond to DE's Invitation to Tender, leaving Debut Services (Bovis Lend Lease & Babcock SGI); Prime Serve (Balfour Beatty & WS Atkins); and Interserve Defence pitching for the contract.

Jack Lawlor, Integrated Project Team (IPT) leader, said: "We have received tenders from three very strong candidates and are well aware of the enormous effort and commitment that this has placed on their resources. We look forward to the challenge ahead of identifying a partner with whom we can work in a new environment of collaboration, trust and flexibility."

The IPT team based at Yeovilton and supported by its customer community will now begin to evaluate the tenders. The appointment of a preferred bidder is due in October 2003, with the award of the contract scheduled for spring 2004.