AWG and Jarvis fight for 70m Herts Uni PFI

The university of Herts has asked two contenders, AWG and Jarvis, to work up best and final offers (BAFOs) for its latest 70m PFI scheme for new student residences.

This means Carillion has failed in its bid to clinch a second lucrative private finance deal at the Universtiy of Hertfordshire in Hatfield. The firm is currently on site constructing student residences at the University's De Havilland campus under a 60m scheme.

But it has now been ruled out of a second bite of the cherry on a similar project at the College Lane campus.

A project source said: "The University had considered going straight to appointing a preferred bidder, but the quality of two of the bids called for the BAFO stage."

The preferred bidder is expected to be named in October, with a start on site expected in March 2004.

The College Lane deal involves 1,000 student residences and features a mix of new build and upgrading work.

Construction work is expected to last for around 30 months, with the maintenance and operation concession running either for 25 or 30 years, depending on negotiations.