HS2 chief: 'Best not cheapest' is driving project's procurement

摘要

HS2's chief operating officer has defended the rail project's procurement strategy and rejected an assertion that it had hired firms based on cost alone. At a conference last week, Richard Robinson said the project had been seeking the best team, not the cheapest. Earlier this year, US engineering giant Bechtel launched a High Court claim over the award of the £lbn Old Oak Common contract to a Balfour Beatty / Vinci Construction UK / Vinci Grands Projets / Systra (BVVS) joint venture. Legal papers showed that it was the top-rated bid on price, but not for quality.