Five companies or joint ventures have been shortlisted to provide client advisory programme, project and cost management services for the Palace of Westminster restoration and renewal programme.
The companies shortlisted to progress to the next stage of the procurement for design and programme management services are Aecom and Mace (JV), Capita & Gleeds (JV), CH2M Hill, Arcadis and Turner & Townsend.
In total seven pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ) were received to undertake this parcel of work.
Alongside the companies shortlisted for the management services, four of the UK’s largest architectural practices have been shortlisted to provide architectural advice. The companies shortlisted are Allies & Morrison, BDP, Foster & Partners and HOK.
In June an independent options appraisal (IOA) outlined a range of scenarios for carrying out the works to protect and modernise the Grade I listed building. The report, produced by Deloitte Real Estate, Aecom and HOK, stated that the major works would cost between £3.5bn and £5.7bn and take between five and 40 years to complete.
Following the release of the IOA a joint select committee was formed in July to consider the findings and make recommendations to both Houses.
At present no decision has been made on which of the three options outlined in the IOA to achieve compliance with legislation, maintain World Heritage and Grade I listing status, and repair or replace systems on a like-for-like basis, will be undertaken.
A decision in principle on how the programme will be delivered is expected to be made by members of both Houses in Spring 2016. Meanwhile, Parliament is proceeding to procure management and design services now so that the necessary consultants are in place and ready to progress the programme when a decision in principle is made in spring 2016.
The most expensive option, costing an estimated £5.7bn (of which construction and construction delivery costs would be £1.26bn) is the rolling programme of phased works that allows MPs to stay in the building throughout.
This option, which would take between 25 and 40 years to complete, would still involve both chambers alternately having to be relocated to a temporary structure (possibly in either New Palace Yard or Speakers Courtyard) for between two and four years.
According to the parliamentary press office the procurement of services is underway now to keep the programme on track for a potential 2020/21 start date without anticipating the selection of a particular scenario and will help ensure Parliament is ready to commission design work after a decision, expected in 2016, has been made.
