A joint venture between Farrans, Sacyr and Neopul (SFNJV) is set to secure an infrastructure & systems contract, while Morrison Utility Services Ltd has been recommended for a swept path contract.

Councillors on the finance and resources committee will be asked to approve the award of the two separate contracts on March 7.

If approved, the contract awards will be subject to a final decision on the final business case for the entire tram extension project by full council on March 14.

Under the swept path contract, the council is procuring a specialist contractor, managed directly by the client team, to work ahead of the infrastructure & systems contractor to identify and clear any below ground obstructions along the tram route.

The I&S contract covers the design and construction, systems integration, testing, commissioning and bringing into operational service of the Edinburgh Tram York Place to Newhaven project.

Finance and resources convener, Councillor Alasdair Rankin, said: “The Trams to Newhaven project team has completed a comprehensive and rigorous procurement exercise to select preferred contractors for both elements of the project. This process has been exhaustive in its approach, taking on board substantial lessons learned from the previous projects and following best industry practice.

“The finance and resources committee will carefully assess and scrutinise the outcome of this procurement process before arriving at a decision. Awarding the contracts will be subject to a final vote on the project by council on March 14.”

If the council votes to proceed with the Trams to Newhaven project on 14 March, a six-month Early Contractor Involvement period will commence, during which the targeted cost will be fully developed, with SFN JV working closely with the project team to test buildability, undertake surveys, value engineer and develop further innovation into their design.