19/04/2012
Construction companies are to be invited to submit fixed price tenders for the possible construction of an external security facility at Holyrood it was announced today.
The move follows a decision by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) to test the market and gather quotes for construction but the SPCB stressed that the step in itself does not constitute a decision to build the facility.
In a letter to all MSPs today, the Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP said the tender process would conclude over the summer and the SPCB expects to be in a position shortly thereafter to determine whether it wishes to proceed with construction of the facility.
The full text of the Presiding Officer’s letter is as follows:
Dear Member,
External security facility at Holyrood
I am writing to update you on the decision taken earlier today by the SPCB in relation to the external security facility (ESF).
Following on from planning permission being received in January of this year, the SPCB has today agreed to proceed to the next stage in the process which is to invite tenders for the construction of the facility.
It is important to stress that this next stage does not constitute a decision to build the facility, but will allow the SPCB to test the market and gather quotes for the cost of construction.
Now that the design for the facility – which incorporates the required blast design criteria – has been finalised, the short-listed companies will now be invited to submit a fixed price traditional tender for the construction of the ESF.
The tender process will conclude over the summer and we expect the SPCB to be in a position shortly after the summer recess to determine whether it is satisfied with the anticipated cost and timescale and so decide whether it wishes to award a contract and proceed with the construction of the facility.
I enclose for your further information a copy of the paper considered by the SPCB earlier today.
As I have said before, the SPCB takes very seriously its legal duty of care towards all passholders and visitors to Holyrood and we will continue to keep Members and staff fully informed of our decisions.
Tricia Marwick
Presiding Officer
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