5.37 In the light of the extra costs of technical transition that have emerged, GCHQ has given careful consideration as to whether a different accommodation option might have offered better value for money.
5.38 First, it concluded, as we have seen, that the PFI deal was better value than the conventionally financed alternative. For example, running costs of the in-house programme and project team might not be identical for either solution but were likely to be of the same order and therefore be cost neutral.
5.39 Second, GCHQ has concluded that its choice of a single site PFI option was still valid and supported by the original cost benefit analysis. It also considered that it would have been difficult to lay off sufficient risk to the private sector for a two-site solution or to get the full benefits from a PFI approach.
5.40 Finally, it has concluded that a better, and earlier, understanding of the shape and duration of technical transition would not have led to a different choice of building design. It has told us that there was essentially no connection between the building design and the length of transition. For example, the computer hall had been designed to provide maximum flexibility over the 30-year life of the building and the length of transition had no effect on this.