Redstone chosen as preferred bidder for BSF contract

Reseller in the box seat for 15-year £150m contract

The 15 year contract aims to redevelop 89 secondary and special needs schools, providing for the educational needs of over 77,000 students

VAR Redstone is in pole position to win a £150m contract for the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, in Birmingham.

As part of a consortium led by Catalyst Lend Lease and Bovis Lend Lease, the 15-year contract involves redeveloping 89 secondary and special needs schools, providing for the educational needs of over 77,000 students across the city.

Martin Balaam, chief executive officer of Redstone, said: “Redstone is delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder for the Birmingham BSF project.

“The scale of this project re-affirms Redstone’s position as a leading provider of ICT and communications solutions. We are committed to transforming education through ICT and will continue to actively bid for further BSF projects together with our preferred partners.”

Birmingham City Council plans to sign the BSF contract in May 2009 commencing work immediately on the first three schools, which are due to open in 2011.

Seven more schools and three academies will follow, with five more being built over five more phases of the project. All schools will be completed by 2020.

In partnership with the City Council, Redstone will supply a complete IT and communications solution, giving each school an integrated IP network, communications and e-learning environment.

Financial close of the contract is expected to take place by May 2009.