The East Sussex County Council is currently presenting a highly lucrative opportunity in the form of a highways contract valued at an impressive £730 million. With this contract, they aim to secure the services of a capable company to oversee and manage their extensive highway infrastructure for a substantial duration of nearly 14 years.
The planned commencement of the contract is set for 2023, marking the beginning of an initial term that spans an impressive six years and 11 months. What's even more enticing is the provision for a potential extension of an additional seven years, making this an incredibly appealing prospect for interested parties.
At present, the responsibility of maintaining the East Sussex highways lies with a joint venture between renowned contractor Costain and esteemed consulting engineer Jacobs. This partnership successfully secured a noteworthy seven-year contract worth £300 million back in 2016, with the esteemed design partners being CH2M Hill at the time before Jacobs acquired them.
The scope and breadth of this comprehensive contract are noteworthy, encompassing a wide range of responsibilities that are vital to maintaining the efficient and effective operation of the county's highways. This includes the essential task of highway maintenance, which encompasses both routine maintenance and crucial winter maintenance to ensure the roads remain safe and accessible. Additionally, the contract extends to cover highway improvements, which involve implementing strategic capital schemes to enhance the overall quality, capacity, and safety of the highway network. Moreover, professional services such as design are integral components of this contract, allowing the chosen company to provide expert design solutions for various aspects of the highway infrastructure.
In a bid to ensure a fair and competitive selection process, the county council has decided to invite three or possibly four organisations to submit their tenders for this prestigious contract. This approach not only fosters healthy competition but also ensures that the council can carefully evaluate and consider the most suitable candidates for this critical undertaking.
For those interested in seizing this remarkable opportunity, the deadline for initial proposals is set for December 13, 2021. Subsequently, the council plans to issue invitations to tender in mid-January 2022, allowing shortlisted companies to present their comprehensive proposals, strategies, and capabilities for the highways contract.
With the scale of this contract and the significant investment involved, it is evident that the East Sussex County Council is committed to securing a highly qualified and experienced partner who can fulfil their vision of a robust and well-maintained highways network.