The Northern Ireland Civil Service finally started the sell-off of its run-down estate this week.
Expressions of interest in the £1.5bn outsourcing contract, for more than 2.7m sq ft of property, were invited on Wednesday.
Potential bidders for the Workplace 2010 project will be briefed in Belfast on 8 December.
They will have until 23 January to submit preliminary proposals.
The civil service aims to award the contract in December 2006.
However, the proposed deal is likely to cause political controversy, because it includes the sale of two buildings on the historic Stormont Estate, as well as the possible construction of a new 50,000 sq ft building close to Stormont Castle.
The Democratic Unionist Party said it was concerned.
One bidder said: “The government may need to think of alternatives to transferring title to get those buildings upgraded.
“Carrying out a new development next to Stormont Castle is more controversial.”
A public consultation is under way on the legislative change needed to allow the sale of properties on the Stormont Estate.
Drivers Jonas and Deloitte are advising the government.
References: EGi News 05/12/05
