Arrangements to deliver construction projects worth £12m on the Scottish MOD estate are now open.

And the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is encouraging businesses of all sizes to get involved in the procurement process.

Developed under the DIO Next Generation Estate Contracts (NGEC) programme, the Regional Capital Works Framework Scotland has an estimated value of between £100m and £250m, and is designed to generate ever-improving value for money.

It will include up to five framework contractors, and the DIO will award projects individually by running 'mini-competitions' to identify the most cost-effective provider of design and build work in each case.

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The DIO sought initial expressions of interest in this framework in 2011, in addition to another five UK regional frameworks. A decision was then made to await further details on military rebasing plans emerging from the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

It is expected that the framework will be awarded by mid-2014 and run for an initial four year period, with the potential to extend for up to three years.

It will operate in parallel to the National Capital Works Framework for higher value and more complex projects worth up to £50m.

Potential framework contractors will need to show a minimum turnover of £18m as well as experience of project-managing construction projects worth over £5m in recent years to reflect the potential size of project requirements.

An industry day will be held by the DIO at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, in April for both potential framework contractors and supply chain businesses to provide an overview of UK Defence, the NGEC programme and the scope of the Scotland framework.

The event will also provide opportunities for supplier networking. Those interested in attending need to register their interest beforehand.

The period for all potential bidders to submit expressions of interest for this contract ends at 12 noon 12 April 2013.

(JP)