Private Sector Information

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a government initiative to transform secondary education by renewing or remodelling the secondary school estate.

The 15 year BSF programme presents a long term business opportunity. The BSF programme creates a new approach to the delivery of the renewal of the schools estate, working in partnership with the private sector.

In June 2006 the County Council’s Cabinet approved the recommendation to create a Local Education Partnership (LEP). There will be a single LEP for all phases of BSF in County Durham.

What is a LEP?

A LEP is a public private partnership between the Local Authority, Partnerships for Schools, and a private sector partner. The private sector partner will be selected in open competition under the European Union procurement rules (OJEU). The role of the LEP is to ensure that BSF money is used efficiently and effectively to improve the secondary school estate.

Durham County Council is following the Competitive Dialogue procedure for the procurement of a LEP partner, this will mean all stakeholders involved in this process must comply with a confidentiality protocol.

Short-listed Bidders

Following OBC approval in June, an advert was placed in the OJEU. The deadline for the PQQ was 6 August 2007. Following evaluation of the PQQs a long-list of 5 bidders was selected and approved by the BSF Project Board on 22 August 2007. Following evaluation at ITPD stage a short-list of 3 bidders was selected. The short-list was approved by the BSF Project Board on 31st October 2007.

Proposed Procurement Timetable

• OBC approval - June 2007
• OJEU notice - 25 June 2007
• Issue of MOI / PQQ / SBC - 25 June - 27 July 2007
• Bidders Day - 29 June 2007
• Return of PQQ - 6 August 2007
• Long list confirmed - 22 August 2007
• Issue ITPD 23 August 2007
• Return of ITPD - 21 September 2007
• Short list confirmed - 31 October 2007
• Issue ITCD - 30 November 2007
• Receipt of initial tenders - 4 April 2008
• Issue ITSFB - 31 October 2008
• Receipt of Final Tenders - 7 November 2008
• Appointment of Preferred Bidder - December 2008
• Financial Close - March 2009

Events

Market Awareness Event - July 2006

A Market Awareness Event was held in July 2006 to share initial ideas with the private sector and to seek views on the attractiveness of Durham’s BSF project. More information can be found on the Market Awareness Event page.

Bidders Day - June 2007

A Bidders Day was held on 29 June 2007 at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham. The purpose of the event was for potential bidders to find out more about Durham's BSFproject and launch the procurement process with the objective of establishing a LEP. Information about the event can be found on the Bidders Day page.

Further Information

www.p4s.org.uk – Partnership for Schools website
www.bsf.gov.uk – Government website for Building Schools for the Future
www.4ps.gov.uk - 4Ps website
Building Schools for the Future homepage