Bechtel announced as preferred supplier for HS2

Engineering company, Bechtel has been named by HS2 as the preferred supplier following the controversy over CH2M’s withdrawal last month.

Mace Ltd, who lost out to CH2M, threatened legal action against HS2 Ltd amid allegations of its close ties with the company influencing the decision and asked for the procurement process to be run again.

The new HS2 Chief Executive, Mark Thurston, is a former employee of CH2M as was the case with his predecessor, Roy Hill. Another 25 employees have previously worked for the company, with 37 of the engineering company’s employees also on secondment to HS2.

HS2 denied any impropriety, describing the bidding process as “fair and robust” and claimed neither Mr Hill or Mr Thurston had “any input into or access to the process”.

Bechtel has been awarded the contract despite the procurement exercise not being re-run, with Mace now facing the choice of whether to lodge an appeal against the decision.

A spokesman for HS2 said: “HS2 Ltd can confirm that Bechtel are being taken forward to the next stage of the 2b Development Partner procurement process.

“The bidder now enters the standstill period allowed for under the process prior to contract award. Following discussions, we are confident they are able and prepared to deliver the contract on time, on budget and to a high standard.”

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