FCDO Accra British High Commission Offices Redevelopment, Ghana

Project Overview

1.1 The route to market being considered is the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will comprise of a Request to Participate stage with Conditions of Participation questions and an Invitation to Tender stage.

1.2 The scope of the project is to redevelop two existing sites, to accommodate the British High Commission. The British High Commission (Ghana) estate is made up of two sites that sit side by side. It is located on Julius Nyerere Link Road in a reasonably affluent and central part of Accra, close to Parliament, the Presidency and some Ministries. The office estate in Accra is tired and in poor condition (in places), having suffered from a lack of strategic investment and maintenance.

1.3 It is anticipated that the consturction will take place in phases. Work will start at the Volta site which will be vacant throughout construction (staff normally based at this site will be temporarily moved to the Afadja Site). Once construction works at the Volta site are complete, all of the staff at the Afadja site will be transferred to the Volta site to enable the phase 2 works to be undertaken in the unoccupied Afadja building.

1.4 In line with the overall estate strategy, the intention is to have the Volta HC Office staff move to the Afadja High Commission for the duration of the Volta construction period.

1.5 The existing sites comprises of:

• An existing split-site office building. It is proposed that the Volta building be retained and refurbished.

• Existing plant structures to be demolished to make way for new extension.

• Existing external landscaping to be demolished in some areas to make way for new cloister and walkway.

1.6 Part of the site development design includes:

• Undertaking minor works to the existing Afadja site to make suitable to be used as a decant property whilst works to the Volta building are undertaken.

• Refurbish the existing building to a fit-for-purpose, open plan office standard.

• Replacement of existing mechanical and electrical installations.

• Seismic strengthening and associated structural works.

• External works to create shared internal and external spaces.

1.7 The Contractor, as well as any engaged sub-contractors, are required to perform all work in accordance with the relevant UK Standards. The construction must meet established UK standards throughout the build process.

2. It is anticipated that the works will be undertaken under the NEC form of contract; ECC 4, Option A (Priced Contract with an Activity Schedule).

3. The project team is also considering the inclusion of an Early Contractor Involvement stage ahead of the construction stage. Both stages will be within the same contract.

4. Some areas of the building will be classified as higher security and will require a separate specialist contractor. These works will not form part of this requirement/contract. However, the parameter and interface between the higher classified areas and the works within this requirement will require security cleared personnel at Security Check (SC*) level to manage the works. Contractor’s will need to be able to provide such personnel before the works contract can begin.

*SC is a process of security vetting. Further details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#security-check-sc.

5. Below is a schedule of key market engagement and tendering activities (subject to change):

Activity Date

Submit PME questionnaire Response 23rd February 2026

1:1 Discussions with Bidders W/C 2nd March 2026

Issue PSQ Early November 2026

Issue ITT Late January 2027

Bidders day During ITT period

Proposed Bid Deadline Late March 2027

Contract Award Mid-May 2027