The Defence Academy is the UK’s Higher Educational Institution whose mission is to deliver education and training, research and advice in order to enhance operational capability and advance the defence and security interests of the UK.
Located at Shrivenham, Wiltshire, the base comprises 162 buildings set in 330 hectares.
DACI Project Barrington arose out of a strategic plan to enhance academic provision and rationalise support arrangements across the campus. Serco were selected in 2005 to carry out the role of Campus Integrator, a £400 million 24 year support services contract.
The Capital Works component of the DACI contract, at £85 million, is being delivered in three phases over five years comprising eleven buildings, five new build and six refurbished, with associated external works and car parking.
The programme will deliver: a 260 seat lecture theatre; a technology centre; 610 single living units in four new buildings, the conversion of two existing accommodation blocks to provide teaching facilities, a management training centre within a Grade II listed building and remodelling of a further accommodation block to form the headquarters building for the campus.
In 2006, the four Phase 1 buildings and the first of the Phase 2 buildings were handed over. Delivery to expectation was confirmed by KPI scores.
Timely handover in Phase 2 of the two 9,600m² single living buildings, each providing 230 units, has been safe guarded by changing the construction. A programme delay arising from unsuitable ground necessitating piled foundations was neutralised by the team, at no additional cost, by switching from traditional construction to a fast assembly precast solution.
Construction supply chain flexibility was increased in 2006 by the introduction of a smaller main contractor who successfully delivered a £2 million stand alone project variation. The Campus Integrator can now choose between ‘contractor large’ and ‘contractor small’ to deliver Defence Academy requirements within the competitive framework.
