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The papers seem to be full of doom and gloom when it comes to public sector projects. However, while perhaps there might be a decline in new build, there is plenty of potential for maintaining what's already there.
Government spending cuts are driving public sector clients such as councils and constabularies to outsource various parts of their work, including maintenance. Analysis from maintenance contractor Morrison and consultant Credo last summer showed that local authorities alone have the potential to double the amount of work they outsourced (of which maintenance can be a part) in 2008 to £82.5 billion from £42.1bn.
According to Glenigan, the top 30 public sector maintenance projects available for tender at present are worth a combined total of £632.6 million. These contracts in particular are primarily reactive maintenance works - and public sector clients have particular specific requirements that contractors need to get right to stand a chance of picking up the job.
One of the most important factors is the ability to deliver a genuine 24/7 service - many public sector clients, including both police forces and councils, need to be sure they can call a contractor at any time to carry out work. Wolverhampton City Council procurement manager Haydn Poyntz says: "It's really important they have experience of running callout facilities as...