The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has announced the
appointment of 6 companies to build Single Living Accommodation
(SLA) for the armed forces.
The 6 companies – Bowmer and Kirkland, ExtraSpace Solutions, Kier
McAvoy, Kier Metek, Laing O'Rourke and REDS10 – will be awarded
contracts through an existing Crown Commercial Services
framework. Each company submitted a tender to be considered for
the new alliance, which was rigorously assessed on a range of
requirements by DIO and their technical support provider,
Arcadis.
The alliance, which will run for 6 years, will see 16,000 new
bedspaces built as part of a wider-MOD plan to build or refurbish
40,000 SLA bedspaces over 10 years. The work will improve the
lived experience for service personnel occupying the rooms.
The appointment of the 6 companies is part of DIO's new
programmatic approach for SLA, which is intended to improve the
delivery of new accommodation by finding efficiencies and
improving value for money.
A library of SLA designs has been created with a common base
design, and flexibility to adapt to the needs of the site and its
personnel, such as the number of rooms required. The designs can
be used for accommodation intended for short-term occupancy, such
as recruits undergoing initial training, as well as permanent
accommodation in military bases.
While the SLA design catalogue allows for different construction
methods enabling adaptability, the SLA programmatic approach
focuses on modern methods of construction (MMC), with new blocks
built off-site in sections. This should improve the speed of
manufacture and reduce the time spent on site, minimising
disruption.
The designs were created with sustainability in mind and will
contribute to the Government's Net Zero Carbon strategy.
The alliance will champion collaborative behaviour and innovation
to improve delivery, learning from each completed project and
using that knowledge to improve the next.
Charlie Hoskins, DIO's Director of Major Programmes and Projects,
said:
I am convinced this new alliance using a programmatic approach
will be crucial to improve our broader delivery of Single Living
Accommodation. These blocks are one of the armed forces
facilities we build the most, and this approach will ensure we
can safely build blocks faster, to a common design, ensuring
consistency of standards and driving better value for money.
Ultimately, this is about improving the living conditions for our
armed forces personnel, and every one of our suppliers is
motivated by this aim.
Over the next two years, a hybrid approach will be adopted with
the full new approach being used for all projects from 2026
onwards.
