HA MAC contracts tie-in with local authorities

Roads contractors looking to secure the next round of Managing Agent Contractor (MAC) maintenance contracts with the Highways Agency (HA) will be contractually bound to work with local authorities.

This was revealed in the HA's collaborative roads procurement strategy. The strategy is meant to drive cost efficiencies in the wake of the Gershon Review.

Contractors will be required to provide combined services to councils to help forward planning across works such as winter maintenance and improvement projects both large and small.

However, the move does not mean that the HA or its suppliers will be taking control over any local authority roads.

The strategy document also reveals that early contractor involvement contracts and the Capability Assessment Toolkit will be applied to local authority procurement and that project-based insurance will be developed.

The further roll-out of NEC/ECC contracts, which embrace partnering, is also part of the strategy. The contract forms will be used to procure over a wider scope with target cost included.