Re Contract
Serco selected preferred bidder for US$1.4 billion Joint Technical College,
Oman
Serco Group plc ('Serco'), as a 50/50 partner in the Training College
Consortium ('TCC'), has been chosen as the preferred bidder for a 30-year
Private Finance Initiative ('PFI') contract, with an estimated value of
approximately US$1.4 billion, to design, build and operate the Joint Technical
College, Oman ('JTC Oman'); contract signature is expected in three to four
month's time. It will take approximately two years, from financial closure, for
Phase 1 of the construction work to complete and, when fully ready in about
three years time, the College will accommodate up to 2000 residential students,
both military and civilian. As with all of Serco's PFI projects, the majority
of the construction component of this contract will be funded by non-recourse
debt.
Serco, and its Oman partner, the Bahwan Engineering Group, part of Suhail
Bahwan Group (Holdings) Co. LLC, have created an international partnership that
brings technical experience in design and building world-class facilities
together with renowned management and learning expertise to meet the
technological challenges of the Sultanate of Oman and the Oman Ministry of
Defence.
Christopher Hyman - Serco Group Chief Executive commented:
'Serco brings to this important and prestigious project a proven track record
in management, learning capability and organisational design and change, which
will be vital to ensure a seamless transition to the new facility. Through the
successful delivery and management of the UK MOD Joint Services Command and
Staff College, Serco demonstrates its experience in design, build and
management of such an establishment as well as extensive PFI experience. We
look forward to working with our local partner, the Bahwan Engineering Group,
and to delivering this exciting project for our customer in Oman'
- Ends -
For further information please contact Serco Group plc:
T: +44 (0) 1256 745 900
Kevin Johnson Head of Media & Public Relations, Serco Group plc
Notes to Editors
* The new Joint Technical College ('JTC') bid has been prepared by the
Training College Consortium ('TCC'). TCC comprises Bahwan Engg. Group, part
of the reputed Suhail Bahwan Group (Holding) Co. LLC. and Serco to provide:
* A consortium with complementary capabilities
* Considerable PFI experience
* The maintenance of military ethos
* A prestigious, yet functional building
* Design giving flexibility of use and ability to expand
* Internationally accredited education framework
* A solution that will attract Third Party Revenue in the region and
world-wide
* The proposed design and operation of the JTC is based on the Joint Services
Command and Staff College ('JSCSC'), a design and build PFI managed by
Serco for the UK Ministry of Defence, and the first ever PFI let by the UK
Ministry of Defence.
* The idea of establishing a Joint Technical College had come from the
directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to set up a world class
educational institution to provide the Sultan's Armed Forces and other
security organs with technical cadres. The College will be a centre of
excellence for technical training and degree courses in the region and
offers exciting prospects as an international training facility.
* The Suhail Bahwan Group is one of the largest private sector groups in Oman
with a turnover exceeding US$1 billion (approx). Bahwan is involved in
trading and diverse engineering construction activities under one umbrella
and also undertakes turnkey maintenance contracts in Oman and the UAE.
Bahwan also has significant experience of private sector investment
projects, including the privatisation of Seeb and Salalah airports in
partnership with the British Airport Authority, the Barka power and
desalination plant and the Sohar fertiliser project.
* Bahwan contracting Company will be the Consortium's construction partner
for this project and the Bahwan engineering Company (both part of the
Bahwan Engineering Group) will be responsible for the installation of
Mechanical & Electrical service and the facilities management services for
the JTC. Bahwan has 8,000 staff and has been operating in Oman for 35
years.
* More information on the Company can be found at www.suhailbahwangroup.com &
www.bahwanengineering.com
* Serco is one of the world's largest public service companies operating on a
global basis in a diverse range of sectors, including defence, aerospace
and science, public transport and traffic management, health, education,
justice and local government
* Serco is primarily focused on the public sector, which represents around
90% of its business, and has a strong public service ethos. In partnership
with customers and staff, Serco aims to enhance service levels and
operational efficiency by shortening decision making chains, reducing
bureaucracy and achieving continuous improvement
* More information on the Company can be found at www.serco.com