The companies are believed to be part of a group of 10, narrowed down from more than 50 companies initially interested in the deal to run Consignia's 4.6m sq m UK property portfolio.
Two other companies understood to be in the running are WSP and Haden-Balfour Beatty. WSP could not be reached for comment. Haden-Balfour Beatty declined to comment on the deal.
Carillion Services managing director Gordon Bryden said the deal was 'one of the big ones' facilities management companies were chasing hard at the moment, and stressed that there has been 'a lot of interest' in the deal. 'It's similar to the BT Estate in distribution. It's very significant,' he said.
While no official shortlist has been announced, it is understood that bidders have been told the competition has come down to about 10.
Consignia, the renamed Post Office, hopes the winner of the deal will become a joint venture partner for its facilities management arm, Romec.
The successful bidder could become the owner of a 49 per cent stake in Romec, which currently handles the majority of Consignia's facilities and related services and has a turnover of £180m.
It is rumoured that Consignia may allow the successful bidder to take a majority stake in Romec.
Romec would be run as a separate operation. A spokeswoman for Romec said that the company was unable to comment on the deal. Consignia also declined the opportunity to comment.
The proposed outsourcing contract is expected to be split into two 'lots'.Lot one includes a range of facilities management and related services, including installation of building engineering, mechanical and electrical systems, installation of telecommunications, street furniture and mail-processing systems, as well as security, cleaning and property management. Lot two is for cleaning services. Both packages may include some management consultancy.
Source
The Facilities Business
