Highways Agency flags up first EMAC road maintenance deal

The Highways Agency is to advertise its first enhanced managing agent contractor (EMAC) road maintenance framework in the new year in the shape of the £250m to £400m Area 2 contract.

The HA  flagged up its intenion to advertise the contract in the EU's Official Journal last week. The EMACs are the latest evolution of the agency's day to day road maintenance deals. The MAC frameworks already combine the roles of the managing agent and the term maintenance contractor.

Payments will be based on a target cost approach with bonus payment/target share closely related to achievement against performance requirements. The contract is due to be awarded in November 2004.

The agency has defined Area 2 as covering the maintenance and renewals of all asets in Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. This appears to be a new region as Area 1 currently covers Devon and Cornwall, while the current Area 2 covers Somerset and parts of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Devon and Monmouthshire.