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"We have an estate that needs major investment to bring it up to scratch and provide better working conditions that will drive improvements in the delivery of services, which, ultimately, is what the public sector is in business to do." Rt Hon Peter D Robinson, Minister of Finance and Personnel.
Latest News - February 2009
Termination of Workplace 2010 Procurement
The Department of Finance and Personnel has announced the termination of the Workplace 2010 procurement.
Workplace 2010 is a major programme of work to transform the Northern Ireland Civil Service office estate. It was suspended on 31 October 2008 pending discussions about the acquisition of Trillium by Telereal (the two remaining bidders) and in light of the prevailing financial turmoil. During the suspension period the Department undertook to review the procurement in light of the global decline in the property and credit markets.
Following this review, and as a result of discussions with the now combined Telereal/Trillium business, the parties have decided that it will not be possible to conclude the current Workplace 2010 procurement process in the foreseeable future. This is because exceptional market conditions have made it difficult to obtain debt finance for this type of property-related contract, and because of the fall in the value of commercial property.
Consequently the current procurement has been terminated.
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Workplace 2010 is a five to seven year programme of work to transform the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) office estate, improving the working environment for many staff and facilitating new ways of working in a way that demonstrates value for money for the taxpayer.
What's New?
- Termination of Workplace 2010 Procurement
- Suspension of Workplace 2010 Procurement
- Bidders invited to submit Best and Final Offers
- Assembly takes note of the first Report of the Committee for Finance and Personnel on Workplace 2010 and the Location of Public Sector Job (link to Assembly website)
- Plans for Civil Service office sell off move to next stage
- Finance Minister makes statement to the NI Assembly on Workplace 2010 and the location of public sector jobs (link to Assembly website)
The Department of Finance and Personnel and the Strategic Investment Board are working together to deliver a step change in the quality and efficiency of NICS public services. Workplace 2010 involves the introduction of new accommodation standards, including open plan working, which will enable the NICS to rationalise its existing estate and dispose of surplus, poor quality accommodation.
This ambitious and challenging programme will deliver: 
- modern, flexible and efficient workspace for staff;
- accommodation that meets business needs;
- a smaller, more efficient estate;
- value for money for the taxpayer;
- an environment that will support and enable significant and lasting change.
The programme is to be delivered through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) solution. The procurement is well advanced. Invitations have been issued to the two remaining bidders inviting them to submit best and final offers.
We are also testing the new ways of working in two exciting pathfinder projects which will evaluate the new environment and working practices and demonstrate these to the wider NICS.
