Somerset County Council is set to tender four highways contracts worth £220 million.
The contract for core maintenance is worth £150m and will run for eight years, with the potential for a four-year extension. There will be contracts for surfacing and surface dressing, which involves restoring and sealing existing surfaces, worth £25m each, with both set to run for four years. There will also be a new assets contract worth up to £20m that is due to run for four years.
The council has pledged that the new contracts will focus on more than work delivery, and that there will be a greater partnership between client and contractor, reports Construction News.
Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, John Woodman, said: “We’re looking for a partnership, or partnerships, that foster innovation and flexibility – we are keen to work with suppliers committed to reducing the environmental impact of the services delivered by our highways team, while at the same time offering the best possible value for money for the residents of Somerset.”
The council will hold a market-engagement event on 28 February where potential bidders can find out more details. Companies can register their interest online. Further engagement opportunities are planned for March and April. A contract notice is expected to be issued in August this year.
The agreements are set to run from March 2024, after the conclusion of a maintenance contract that was won by Skanska in 2017 before being moved to Milestone. The existing contract will be split into four for the next maintenance periods.
