Bradford council has asked the three bidders battling for its outsourcing contract to come up with an estate strategy for 30 of its properties in just 15 weeks.
Bradford sent out its long-delayed invitation to negotiate to shortlisted bidders LandSecurities Trillium, Carillion and a Mapeley-led consortium earlier this month.
The document gives the clearest idea yet of what Bradford wants from a private-sector partner.
The invitation to negotiate states that the first stage of the deal will involve the transfer of at least £50m worth of property assets to the private sector, comprising council accommodation and the council’s investment portfolio.
The successful bidder will also take on responsibility for asset management, estate strategy and facilities services across the council’s entire £615m estate from day one.
This now costs the council £60m a year.
But bidders will not only be judged on pricing for the first stage of the project.
The three must come up with ideas for a diverse mix of 30 sites dubbed “improvement properties”, including theatres, community centres, museums and cemeteries.
They will be tested on innovation and financial creativity.
“Beyond the pricing of the initial scope, it will be down to each bidder to take a view about what creative work they want to do to prove their credentials to the council,” said one source.
References: EGi News 19/04/04
