51 The limited involvement of FM experts during the procurement process of some early PFI schemes led to inappropriate FM decisions and a lack of focus on realising DBO synergies. Part of the problem derived from the position of FM providers as a junior partner or subcontractor in the provider consortium. The providers in these examples stated that they were now improving - many are developing FM businesses in their own right and ensuring that FM staff are better involved in the bidding process. We were told that the construction arms of consortia are increasingly buying products and working to specifications agreed with FM managers.
52 When evaluating bids, LEAs should check on the relative position of FM within a consortium, and whether FM and other key parts of the supply chain (for example, specialist equipment subcontractors) are integrated early on into the design process. LEAs also need to consider how affordability considerations may undermine the scope for DBO synergies; for example, in one school low emissivity glass was not used because of the cost,I with the result that the school ran the risk of overheating in summer.
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I Revised Building Regulations will prevent this in future.