However, a PFI deal for office accommodation was already in the process of procurement

1.9  In 1996, before the appointment of anew Chief Executive, National Savings had identified excess accommodation at the three sites and that this excess would increase on completion of the business process re-engineering project. Following a competition, discussions were held with three property companies for a PFI solution where the private sector would provide serviced accommodation for National Savings' requirements and would be free to redevelop the sites. These discussions were underway at the time a separate competition for the operational service was launched.