Project Overview
In November 2020, we initiated discussions with Derbyshire County Council (DCC) regarding the Harrington School project. This project was critical for the local community, as the previous school facility had been lost to a fire, necessitating the urgent construction of a new junior school. The temporary facility that housed the students was not a long-term solution, making the timely completion of the new Harrington School essential.
Procurement Strategy and Framework Selection
DCC needed to ensure that the procurement process attracted sufficiently qualified and experienced contractors to meet the demands of the project. After careful consideration, our Medium Works Framework was selected as the most effective route to market. The framework offered DCC a choice of reputable contractors and demonstrated value through a competitive tendering process.
We engaged with DCC to discuss the procurement strategy and market appetite for the project. Through these discussions, it was decided that a Two-Stage Design & Build (D&B) procurement approach would be the most suitable for achieving the best value. This strategy allowed for initial engagement with contractors to gauge interest and expertise before moving on to the tendering phase.
Contractor Engagement and Tender Process
We carried out an Expression of Interest (EoI) exercise to engage with contractors listed on our Medium Works Framework. This process was crucial in understanding which contractors were willing and able to meet the requirements of the project. Following the EoI, a formal tender exercise was conducted. We administrated and managed the tender on behalf of DCC. The robust tender process led to the selection of Ashe Construction who successfully deliver the project.
Construction and Project Delivery
The Harrington Junior School project involved constructing a new facility on the site of the former school in Long Eaton, southwest of Nottingham. The design featured a primarily single-storey building with a two-storey dining area and sports hall. The structure was built using a Met-Sec steel frame with a Rock-panel and brickwork façade. Although a Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) system was proposed at the tender stage for its cost and programme efficiencies, the client opted for the more traditional steel solution, considering the site’s history.
Key Project Successes
Timely Completion: The project was completed on time, ready for the 2022/23 academic year, meeting the high standards of quality and safety required.
Effective Communication: Regular and clear communication was maintained with the school’s end-users, with the project manager holding daily catch-ups with the head teacher to minimise disruption and ensure smooth progress.
Community Engagement: Ashe Construction, the appointed contractor, engaged with the school community through initiatives like the Waste Wise Kids programme and the burying of a time capsule by the pupils, marking a significant milestone in the construction process.
Social Value Contributions: The project generated £1,668,760 in Social Value, which included work delivered through local suppliers and SMEs, on-site training hours, and efforts to reduce waste to landfill. The project also scored 41 out of 45 in the Considerate Constructors Scheme, with a perfect score in the “Respect the Community” category.
Promoting the Project: A shared blog between the school and Ashe Construction provided regular updates on the construction activities, fostering transparency and community involvement.
The result
The successful delivery of the Harrington Junior School project demonstrates the effectiveness of our frameworks in facilitating complex public sector projects whilst giving first class procurement support to the client in a quick and effective way.
By providing a compliant and flexible procurement solution, we enabled DCC to achieve best value while meeting the tight deadlines required for this essential community project. The collaborative approach taken throughout the project ensured that the new school was delivered on time, to a high standard, and with significant social value benefits for the local area.
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