University College of Estate Management 2020

Question 1 (1750 words approximately)
A public sector organisation (a municipal local authority) with responsibility for provision of public
transport has received a substantial central government grant to upgrade its transport infrastructure.
After careful consideration of several options and development of a robust business case it has
decided to invest the money in the following project over a five year period. The authority does not
have its own in-house highways maintenance design and construction service but does have a
highways term maintenance contract which expires half way through year 3.
Identify the procurement and related contract strategy/ies and routes that you (as a professional
commercial manager) would advise the client (a municipal local authority) to take, for the
appointment of contractors to deliver the works programme. Critically analyse why you believe your
proposal to be the most appropriate approach to procuring the works and services required for this
project.
The dates of proposed schemes below:
Year 1
Creation of ‘park and ride’ facilities on land owned by the authority in the north and east of the
municipal area to reduce the numbers of passenger car movements into the city centre. These
facilities will consist of a 2,000 spaces car park (with automated security barriers, CCTV and bus
pick up and drop lanes).
A new road bypassing the city to the north east with junctions at the park and ride facilities.
Year 2
Creation of bus priority measures at signal-controlled junctions along the route from each park and
ride facilities into the city centre. These works involve minor alterations to the road layout at
approximately 60 junctions.
Refurbishment and expansion of the two bus garages owned by the municipality, one at each end
of the city.
Year 3
Improvements to the surfacing and creation of a raised boarding area at all bus stops throughout the
municipal area.
Redesign and enhancement of the railway station forecourt area to increase the number of bus
stopping bays, provide waiting facilities for passengers, provide a bicycle storage shelter and
relocate the taxi rank.
Year 4
Provision of new bus shelters throughout the city following on from the surfacing and kerbing
improvements at bus stops.
Year 5
Installation of on-street paper and electronic bus ticket vending machines at eight busy locations in
the city centre, the two city hospitals, the railway station and university.
Installation of air quality measuring stations at various locations throughout the city.
(50 marks)
© University College of Estate Management 2020 Page 3 of 3
SECTION B – answer any TWO questions from this section
Question 2 (875 words approximately)
It is recognised that sustainable procurement involves more than merely specifying products
obtained from particular sources or manufactured in a particular way.
Identify and critically appraise the part that procurement practice can play in achieving the economic,
social and environmental aims of sustainable construction.
(25 marks)
Question 3 (875 words approximately)
‘The process of evaluating applications from firms to be included on a tender shortlist is
different from the process of evaluating bids received from shortlisted firms in response to an
invitation to tender.’
Critically evaluate this statement highlighting the main areas of similarity and difference.
(25 marks)
Question 4 (875 words approximately)
The two-stage tendering project delivery process benefits from early contractor involvement. This
comes at the expense of value for money from the client’s perspective.
Critically appraise this statement.
(25 marks)
Question 5 (875 words approximately)
Critically examine the part played by the Public Sector Comparator tool in evaluating the value for
money of a proposed public private partnership.
(25 marks)