On the heels of the introduction of a transportation P3 bill in the state legislature, the Tennessee Department of General Services is exploring whether to use public-private partnerships to construct new buildings.
The department, which manages the state’s real estate portfolio, says building maintenance has improved since it hired private firms to maintain existing buildings. Now the department is considering whether to allow private developers to build, finance and maintain new building projects worth at least $100 million, reported the Nashville Business Journal on Feb. 16.
The department has issued a request for information to identify a P3 consultant that can help identify potential P3 projects, advise it on P3 contracting issues, help develop legislation that would authorize the department to negotiate P3s, and identify legislative and regulatory changes that would improve the P3 contracting process. The consultant also would contribute to materials to educate high-level government officials about the procurement model and help develop value for money analyses. Responses to the RFI are due March 4.
Legislators are considering bills to authorize local and state governments to pursue P3s for the development and operation of transportation and transit projects. Sen. Bill Ketron, one bill’s sponsor, hopes it will pave the way for a private developer to build and operate a monorail system between Murfreesboro and Nashville, reported the Nashville Post on Feb. 3. A companion bill has been introduced in the Tennessee House.
NCPPP
By Editor
February 18, 2016