Summary: The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has unveiled a new contract with US Forces for building and facilities management worth approximately £350m.

The United States Visiting Forces Prime contract will be used to provide facilities management and minor construction projects at Royal Air Force bases used by the United States Air Force including: RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire, RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire, RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and RAF Menwith Hill, Yorkshire.

The work includes an emergency helpdesk, pest control, maintenance of housing, hospitals and utilities infrastructure, snow and ice clearance, grounds maintenance and a refuse collection service.

The contract has an estimated annual value of £70m. The five-year contract also has the option to extend for a further five years.

The DIO is part of the MOD and plays a vital role in supporting Armed Forces as they work, train and deploy on operations. DIO is now inviting expressions of interest, marking the start of the procurement process for the new commercial arrangements.

It is expected that the contract will be awarded by spring 2016, coming into service in late 2016.

Stuart Ellington, USVF Prime Project Manager, said: “We are looking for contactors with robust supply chain arrangements and would also encourage small businesses to bring their expertise and experience to the attention of potential bidders for these contracts, as early as possible, to explore any sub-contracting opportunities.

A contract advert and Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) has been published on the MOD DCO website, potential tenderers will complete their PQQ return as an Expression of Interest and all expressions of interest must be completed by no later than midday on 14 May 2014.