Mowlem and joint-venture partner confirmed as preferred bidder on £5bn Ministry of Defence PFI scheme.

Mowlem and its 50:50 joint-venture partner Kellogg Brown & Root have been confirmed as preferred bidders for a £5bn Ministry of Defence PFI.

The joint-venture company Aspire Defence will upgrade and provide services to British Army garrisons at Aldershot and around Salisbury Plain.

The confirmation brings Aspire close to financial close on the project. Aspire was appointed provisional preferred bidder in 2003.

Earlier this year Aspire received a pre-contract activity letter, which underwrites mobilisation activities and enabled Aspire to start recruiting staff. It also began detailed design for the first stage of construction works and started on the development of a 36-man accommodation block at Perham Down.