Firms bid for three PFI schools deals

Six contractors are in the mix for PFI school deals in England and Scotland totalling more than £280m.
Mowlem has teamed up with Scottish contractor Robertson for the first time to pitch for Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council's £54m deal. The scheme includes building five new schools and refurbishing two others.
Jarvis is its rival, with insiders claiming that a bid from a third contractor was ruled out "because it was non-compliant".
A preferred bidder is expected to emerge in February 2004, with work on site starting in October 2004. Completion will be phased over 2005 and the following year, with the concession running for 30 years.
Mowlem and Jarvis clash again in the second project: Barnsley Metropolitan Council's £40m scheme. Both contractors are up against Miller.
It is understood that Barnsley will miss out the best and final offer stage and aim to appoint its preferred bidder next March. Financial close should be in July, with a start on site due in August.
The job involves building 13 new primary schools and upgrading a secondary school.
Four of the primary schools are due for completion in 2005, with the rest ready in 2006. The secondary school will be completed in 2007.
Amec and Amey Ventures are hoping to hear next week that they have made the grade for South Lanarkshire Council's £190m scheme in Scotland.
It is believed that the duo could be the only contenders for the project, which involves a mix of new build and upgrade work at a number of secondary schools.