Construction Procurement
This section includes key recent policy documents and case studies, with particular emphasis on the issue of achieving value for money.
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Construction Risk - What Risk? (PDF) Bain, Robert, 2010 Project Finance International This article questions the conventional wisdom that the construction phase of PPP projects is the riskiest. Evidence is reviewed from cost-overruns of both PPP and conventionally procured government projects and proposals made for improving risk assessments. UK
Performance of PFI Construction (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2009 This report provides an update on the performance of PFI construction. It finds that PFI construction projects were delivered to timetable in over two thirds of cases and to price in around two thirds; non-PFI construction projects are delivering to timetable in around two thirds of cases and to price in around half. UK
Works Reform Business Solution Plan (PDF) Building Management and Works, Department of Treasury and Finance, 2009 Government of Western Australia This paper outlines proposed reforms to the planning and project management for the design, construction, maintenance and leasing of government buildings in Western Australia. Australia
Developing the Local Government Services Market: Working Paper on Local Government Asset Management and Construction Services (PDF) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), 2007 Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) A working paper which proposes greater strategic leadership and use of more integrated and innovative solutions for asset management and construction services. UK
Design quality and the Private Finance Initiative (PDF) Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), 2005 The paper set outs CABE's perspective on the ability of the private finance initiative (PFI) to deliver well-designed public buildings, nd considers what policy interventions are needed to remove the barriers to the delivery of design quality. UK
Improving Public Services Through Better Construction (PDF)
NAO, 2005
The Stationery Office
This NAO report examines the progress of central government departments in construction procurement and looks at the work of the Office of Government Commerce, Public Accounts Committee and NAO in providing guidance in this area. It is the follow-up to the NAO's 2001 report 'Modernising Construction'.
Improving Public Services Through Better Construction - Case Studies (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2005
The Stationery Office
Improving Performance - Project Evaluation and Benchmarking (PDF)
Office of Government Commerce (OGC), 2003
PFI Construction Performance (PDF)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2003
The Stationery Office
This report reviews and analyses the performance and performance-measurement of government construction contracts. It considers both contracts undertaken using the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and alternative policy frameworks.
PFI Construction Performance (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2003 The Stationery Office This NAO report investigates the hypothesis that construction procurement using the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) delivers price certainty for departments and timely delivery of good quality assets. There follows a survey of PFI projects to test this hypothesis. The NAO concludes that the hypothesis is generally supported. HC 371 UK
Trust In Construction: Achieving Cultural Change (PDF)
Swan, Will; McDermott, Dr. Peter; Wood, Graham; Thomas, Andrew and Abbott, Carl, 2002
Centre for Construction Innovation in The North West
Rethinking Construction 2002: Achievements, Next Steps, Getting Involved (PDF)
Rethinking Construction Group Ltd, 2002
Modernising Construction (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2001
The Stationery Office
This NAO report examines the benefits of partnering in the construction process, in the context of modernising construction procurement in government departments and agencies. In particular it advances the view that many clients do not understand that lowest tender procurement may not produce the best value for money.
Measured Partnering: The Only Way to Know Whether you are Succeeding
M41 Case Study Project No. 20, 2000
Constructing Excellence
Better Public Buildings (Part 1) (PDF)
Finch, Paul, 2000
Department for Culture Media and Sport
Review of Civil Procurement in Central Government (Web Page)
Gershon, Peter, 1999
This is a review of civil procurement in the light of the Government's objectives on efficiency, modernisation and competitiveness. It was conducted in response to the invitation of the Paymaster General and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office.
Second Review of the Private Finance Initiative by Sir Malcolm Bates (Web Page) Bates, Sir Malcolm, 1999 The Stationery Office This HM Treasury document provides a series of policy recommendations as well as contract templates for the future conduct of Private Finance Initiative projects. It also includes an update on the original Bates Review. Follow the link to summary page only. UK
Modern Government, Modern Procurement (Word)
Office of Government Commerce (OGC), 1999
This OGC report sets out the key recommendations of the Gershon Review of Civil Government Procurement and the Second Bates Review of the PFI and PPPs, and the Government's plans for their implementation.
Rethinking Construction (PDF)
Egan, Sir John , 1998
Department of Trade and Industry (Construction Task Force)
This paper by the Egan Construction Task Force reports on the scope for improving the quality and efficiency of UK construction. Recommended substantial changes in the construction industry's culture and structure, and replacing competitive tendering with long-term relationships based on clear performance measurements and sustained quality and efficiency improvements.
The Levene Efficiency Scrutiny into Construction Procurement by Government Levene, Sir Peter , 1995 This comprehensive review makes a number of recommendations to improve the procurement and management of construction projects, including better communication with the construction industry to reduce conflict; adoption of a more commercial approach; negotiation of deals justified on value for money grounds; and increased training of civil servants on procurement and risk management. UK
Constructing the Team: Final Report of the Government/Industry Review of Procurement and Contractual Arrangements in the UK Construction Industry
Latham, Sir Michael , 1994
This comprehensive review of the UK construction industry puts forward a number of recommendations for future achievement, in particular partnering as a way forward to improve efficiency and profitability in this sector.

