The single contract will involve the private sector buying andleasing back operational property, disposing of redundantbuildings, refurbishing retained property and managing thefacilities on those properties leased back to the government.Effectively, the government is outsourcing estate, building andfacilities management to the private sector.

The advertisement states that the Department of Finance andPersonnel will brief interested parties in Belfast on Dec. 8. Theywill then have until January 23 to submit preliminary proposals.Officials will then select three or four prospective partners todraw up more detailed proposals. The aim is to award the contractby the end of next year.

UK-based Land Securities Trillium and Mapeley are expected toprepare joint bids with Irish investors and developers. Theportfolio comprises 56 freeholds totalling 2.2 million sf andvalued at euro 295 million ($346 million).