Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is seeking to procure 1 or 2 providers to provide high-quality technical services to it and in doing so help it meet its strategic objectives, deliver its ambitious plans for growth and regeneration of the borough, helping the Council to make significant savings to help the Council meet upcoming budget pressures and provide added social value to the borough of Blackburn with Darwen in particular with emphasis on provision of high quality jobs and investment in the borough's future. The proposed partnership will initially cover services relating to the Council's Property, Highways and Transport functions but could be expanded to cover a wider range of services across the Place based services.

The procurement will be split into 2 lots 1 for the Property services and 1 for the Highways and Transport services:

— It is proposed the Property Services Lot will cover Property Management, Strategic and Specialist Property Advice and procurement and/or delivery of Architectural services.

— It is proposed the Highways and Transport Services Lot will cover the ‘white collar’ aspects of Civil Engineering, Traffic Management, Public Rights of Way, Highways Civil Engineering Design and Procurement, Highways Maintenance and Inspection, Street Works, Street Lighting and Drainage.

— In addition the Council wants arrangements to be flexible so that over the course of the contract we are be able to adapt to include the provision of other functions within the Council's Place-based service areas including but not limited to regeneration, housing, environment and leisure functions if it represents value for money to do so.

The Council is looking for 1 provider per lot or 1 provider who can cover both lots. This will be based on assessing which combination offers the Council the best value for money based on the evaluation methodology set out in the tender documents.