The Clyde Infrastructure Programme is expanding its industry framework arrangements to ensure sufficient capacity and capability are available to sustain delivery over the life of the programme, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard provided the update in response to a written parliamentary question from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who asked what progress had been made on recruiting staff and securing the level of industry support required for the programme. Pollard said the programme already has established commercial frameworks in place with industry and that its supply chain is working to an agreed delivery plan.
He said: “The Clyde Infrastructure Programme has existing frameworks in place with industry to sustain delivery, with supply chain following an agreed delivery plan.”
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is now increasing the capacity available within those arrangements to support continued delivery.
Pollard said: “The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is extending and uplifting headroom within these frameworks to support delivery and has commenced work to establish successor framework arrangements, ensuring sufficient enduring capacity and capability are available to meet the demand for the life of the programme.”
The reference to additional “headroom” means the DIO is increasing the amount of work that can be placed through the existing frameworks, while the successor arrangements are intended to provide longer-term access to contractors and specialist capability.
The Clyde Infrastructure Programme supports the development of the naval base and associated facilities required for the Royal Navy’s submarine enterprise at HM Naval Base Clyde. Long-term infrastructure work at the site is intended to provide the facilities needed to support current and future submarine operations, maintenance and associated activity as the Clyde continues to develop as a central part of the UK’s naval nuclear infrastructure.
