PREFERRED BIDDER FOR HSE'S MERSEYSIDE HEADQUARTERS PROJECT

HSE press release E023:03 - 12 February 2003

The Health and Safety Executive has announced the appointment of the Kajima Consortium as the preferred bidder to negotiate the final terms of a contract for a new headquarters to accommodate its staff and contractors in Bootle, Merseyside.

The Kajima Consortium consists of Kajima Partnerships, Honeywell, and Reliance. Kajima Construction will be the design/build contractor, with Cartwright Pickard as architects and Buro Happold, designing structural and M&E services.

Award of contract is scheduled for Summer 2003, subject to the successful conclusion of negotiations and the necessary approvals. The contract is for serviced accommodation and is being negotiated under the Government's Private Finance Initiative.

Note to Editors

1. The OJEC Contract Notice for the Health and Safety Executive's Merseyside Headquarters Project was dated 9 August 2001, and the closing date for expressions of interest was 17 September 2001. HSE then assessed the applicants in a process known as pre-qualification, and selected eight consortia to submit outline proposals. A shortlist of three consortia was taken forward for the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) stage and Best and Final Offers (BaFO) were invited from two consortia. Kajima's bid offered best value for money at BaFO.

2. HSE's six current office blocks were built in the 1960s and most are nearing the end of their leases.

3. HSE has appointed IBM Consulting and PricewaterhouseCoopers to provide financial advice; Addleshaw Booth & Co for legal advice; and, for property and construction issues: Donaldsons and AYH plc.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office