A team from Laing O鈥橰ourke is in talks with Viglen, Sir Alan Sugar鈥檚 computer services company, to see if it will join its consortium to provide services for 黑洞社区 Schools for the Future projects.

O鈥橰ourke has been positioning itself so it can provide small investment stakes in BSF contracts, as it wants to lead consortiums in bidding for the programme.

A team from O鈥橰ourke has already met Viglen, including Michelle Dewberry, the winner of Alan Sugar鈥檚 television programme The Apprentice, over a potential deal.

Michael Fern, Viglen鈥檚 BSF manager, confirmed that his company was in discussions with Laing O鈥橰ourke, but added that it was also talking to other contractors, including Willmott Dixon, Taylor Woodrow and Balfour Beatty. He said: 鈥淰iglen are committed to BSF and are investigating all channels to markets. We are building on our reputation of a good relationship with education.鈥�

However, it is understood that the team from O鈥橰ourke has decided not to proceed with Viglen in a deal for a project it is working on in east London. A senior O鈥橰ourke source said: 鈥淲e met with Viglen to discuss the possibility of providing information, communication and technology services for the 黑洞社区 Schools for the Future programme but we may be able to do business with the firm on future projects.鈥�

Viglen was established in 1975 by Sugar and according to its website sells itself as 鈥渁 provider of services and products to the schools market including the integration of diverse technologies鈥�. The website says the firm鈥檚 鈥渟uccesses in delivering multi-million-pound solutions underpin our BSF and academies programme鈥�.

BSF is the government鈥檚 拢45bn programme to rebuild every secondary school in England. The project has been beset by delays and the first scheme, led by contractor Skanska for four schools in Bristol, has only just reached financial close 鈥� seven moths after a preferred bidder was selected.