Preferred Bidders for Western Isles Schools Project Appointed

Preferred Bidders for Western Isles Schools Project Appointed

The Western Isles Schools Project (WISP) has reached a further significant milestone with the appointment by Sgoiltean Ùra of FMP and FES FM Ltd as Preferred Bidders to construct and maintain the £110m Project.

Subject to final clarification of the proposed financial parameters, it is also hoped to include both a sixth school at Daliburgh and to meet the aspirations for the provision of synthetic pitches at each of the schools.

FMP have been appointed to undertake the detailed design & construction works for the five new build schools, while FES FM have been appointed for the facilities management & lifecycle maintenance of the buildings for the remainder of the 30 year contract duration.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar recognised the need for a programme of replacement and improvement works within its education estate, and identified five schools across the Outer Hebrides, located at Point Primary (Lewis), West Side Primary (Lewis), the Nicolson Institute Secondary (Lewis), Sir E Scott Primary and Secondary (Harris) and Ballivanich Primary (Benbecula). Enabling works are already underway at the site of Point Primary School, with other advance contracts due to be let shortly at Sir E Scott School and the Nicolson Institute.

FMP and FES FM will join with Sgoiltean Ùra and their private sector delivery partner Faithful + Gould to deliver the programme on behalf of the Comhairle concluding a thorough and comprehensive OJEU procurement process, during which time the successful bidders each developed detailed proposals. Although financial close and conclusion of the contractual appointments is currently scheduled for late July 2010, it hoped that this timescale can be improved upon.

Cllr Norman A MacDonald, Chair of Sgoiltean Ùra, said ‘Although there remains a significant amount of work to done before we can make a full start on each of the five sites, we remain confident that we will be in a position to do so during the coming months’. It is currently anticipated that the three Primary Schools at West, Point and Ballivanich will be completed by late 2011, with Sir E Scott and the Nicolson Institute being fully operational by August 2012.

Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Angus Campbell said: ‘I am pleased that Sgoiltean Ura has reached this significant milestone in the Western Isles Schools Project (WISP). Whilst the contract is still to be finally awarded we are moving closer to work starting on the biggest ever capital project in the Outer Hebrides. I commend the work of Sgoiltean Ura and FMP and FES FM Ltd who have come through a rigorous evaluation procedure as the preferred bidders.’

Chair of Education and Children’s Services, Mrs Morag Munro, said:’Thanks are due to Sgoiltean Ùra for their work in reaching this very significant stage in the Western Isles Schools Project. We are committed to providing first class educational facilities for our children and young people and this is an important step towards that achievement’.