Civilianising my post, we want to put in a bid.

[Ribs]

Ok, so we are getting all the good vibes at work that our post is probably going to go civvy. Obvoiusly can't get a straight answer just keep getting told all options are being looked at.

Now as a 2nd line bay worker in a role that does not deploy etc, I can see it makes sense, I don't agree with it however but lean, budget cuts and "front line first" I can see it happening. Add to that the big wig who recently visited and said times are going to get harder and come the SDR we are going to be a uniformed force of 30K, my pension says its going to happen.

Now call me suspicious, but we have had both BAE and Westlands sniffing around and Serco are due a visit. Me, another CT and a SGT reckon we could do the job, better and cheaper. We actually enjoy the job but none of us can see a future in the mob. We all live locally and have kids in local school so dont actually want to move.

If we put our brains together a bit of capital and got a proper business plan we could do it. Who then do we have to convince and present a bid to?

Has anyone else done it, or got any pointers or do we just sit back and watch Waster Space fleece the mob and make an uncommited mess of it all?

Appreciate any serious advice.

 

[Dave-exfairy]

Wether or not you consider this a serious reply, I don't know, but my own feelings is that even if you think that you can do it better and cheaper is immaterial, BAe/Westlands and Serco are that entrenched in the upper echelons of the Armed Forces and no-one else will get a look in. No senior officers are going to let their future directorship/consultancy/"bonus payment" disappear.

 

[4everAD]

Wether or not you consider this a serious reply, I don't know, but my own feelings is that even if you think that you can do it better and cheaper is immaterial, BAe/Westlands and Serco are that entrenched in the upper echelons of the Armed Forces and no-one else will get a look in. No senior officers are going to let their future directorship/consultancy/"bonus payment" disappear.

Sad but true, these companies have greased the wheels for decades to ensure they get first look in at defence contracts and they're not just going to stand by and let someone who can actually give the tax payer value for money jump in.

 

[Barch]

On top of all the nepotism you would also need to get your Milstans, Defstans and ISO900x in place before the MOD would even consider you as a contractor and those tickets do not come cheap or quickly.

 

[DesertBaldy]

Ok, so we are getting all the good vibes at work that our post is probably going to go civvy. Obvoiusly can't get a straight answer just keep getting told all options are being looked at.

Now as a 2nd line bay worker in a role that does not deploy etc, I can see it makes sense, I don't agree with it however but lean, budget cuts and "front line first" I can see it happening. Add to that the big wig who recently visited and said times are going to get harder and come the SDR we are going to be a uniformed force of 30K, my pension says its going to happen.

Now call me suspicious, but we have had both BAE and Westlands sniffing around and Serco are due a visit. Me, another CT and a SGT reckon we could do the job, better and cheaper. We actually enjoy the job but none of us can see a future in the mob. We all live locally and have kids in local school so dont actually want to move.

If we put our brains together a bit of capital and got a proper business plan we could do it. Who then do we have to convince and present a bid to?

Has anyone else done it, or got any pointers or do we just sit back and watch Waster Space fleece the mob and make an uncommited mess of it all?

Appreciate any serious advice.

Pvr and then get a job with the firm that takes over, that way you can stop it becoming a mess. Or are you just upset that your cushy number is coming to an end?

 

[metimmee]

If we put our brains together a bit of capital and got a proper business plan we could do it. Who then do we have to convince and present a bid to?

Has anyone else done it, or got any pointers or do we just sit back and watch Waster Space fleece the mob and make an uncommited mess of it all?

Appreciate any serious advice.

As has already been said you're going to have a lot of regulatory hoops to jump through with a financial commitment that may be higher than you think.

The way I would approach this would be to get a civil servant commercial officer on board, as a paid advisor initially and if you proceed to contract offer shares in the company. They'll be able to give you good advice and give you some credibility when facing up against MoD.

Don't forget to include some sort of sustainment plan beyond the initial contracted period to take into account manpower replacement.

It might be an idea to ensure that any extra information that you use in your business plan has been disclosed properly and doesn't put you at an unfair advantage over your competitors....presumably via FOI.

 

[gemarriott]

Might a letter to your Local MP asking for help and advice setting out your plans be in order?