The Environment Agency has shortlisted five bidders for work on flood defences on the tidal Thames worth up to £485m.
The shortlisted firms for the the Thames Estuary Phase 1 Programme (TEP1) are:
- Jacobs
- CH2M Hill
- A Morgan Sindall and Grontmiji joint venture
- Vision4TE – a VolkerStevin and Mace joint venture with Atkins as a strategic subconsultant
- CCU Alliance – a Costain, Capita and URS joint venture
The agency is looking for a single bidder for the deal, which involves maintaining, assessing and improving flood defences along the tidal Thames from Teddington in west London to Sheerness and Shoeburyness in Kent and Essex, as well as some tidal tributaries.
The contract is worth £314m to £485m and will span seven years with the potential to extend for a further three years.
A spokeswoman for the agency said it is engaged in competitive dialogue with suppliers and holding workshops to refine approaches to the contract.
She said the agency expects to award the contract in October 2014.