The report from the Commission of Inquiry into achieving best value in the procurement of construction work entitled “A Better Deal for Public Building” is welcomed by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.  Although it is focussed on “building” the principles can equally be applied to public procurement of construction work in the highways and transportation sphere, indeed Highways Agency and London Underground are referenced.

Client organisations must take note of the content and consider the 13 key recommendations related to their organisation.  Key issues for members to think about in relation to their own role and their organisation include:
•    Sharpening the expertise of the Client
•    Procure on the basis of capital and operating (revenue or maintenance) costs
•    Standardised pre-qualification questionnaire
•    Application of BS8534 around collaborative approaches
•    The use of integrated teams covering working together, early contractor involvement and engagement with the supply chain
•    Framework arrangements
•    The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

CIHT is involved with the above aspects through the work of Panels and Boards, involvement with BIS on the BIM initiative (CIHT will be holding a BIM workshop in December for the industry), the Highway Maintenance Efficiency Programme and liaison with other bodies such as Highways Term Maintenance Association.  There is no doubt that with the Construction Strategy targeting a 20 percent reduction in project and construction costs over the lifespan of this Parliament it is essential that we play our part in the above aspects in order to meet this challenging target.