Public project: PFI tender

Tendering is the process of selecting and appointing an integrated supply team for the main contract.

The Government Construction Strategy proposes that publicly-funded projects adopt either a design and build, private finance initiative (PFI) or prime contract procurement route. These routes involve contracting an integrated supply team to design, construct and sometimes finance, operate and maintain the development. Traditional procurement routes that separate design and construction should not be used unless it can be demonstrated that they offer better value.

Depending on how experienced the client is, they may appoint external consultants such as independent client advisers or a project manager to assist them.

1 Starting the work stage.
2 Preparing the invitation to negotiate.
3 Identifying potential bidders.
4 Identifying the preferred bidder.
5 Entering into negotiations with the preferred bidder.
6 Gateway review 3: investment decision.
7 Appointing the integrated supply team.

[edit] Starting the work stage.

The client updates the project execution plan to reflect comments made at the end of the previous stage.

The client may wish to appoint additional independent client advisers, a project manager or contract administrator. Go to work stage: Public project: appointment.

The client arranges a stage start-up meeting with the internal client team, independent client advisers and project manager to issue any amendments to the project execution plan, confirm the procurement route and to to agree the programme and procedures that will be adopted for tendering. The client gives instructions relating to lists of approved contractors, OJEU requirements, preferred form of contract, contract conditions, and the allocation of risk.

The client prepares selection criteria for the integrated supply team and pre-qualification questionnaires. Up until 2024 the Government had suggested that PAS 91 should be used, however since the issue of (PPN) 03/24 it was clarified that PAS 91 is no longer actively supported (or updated) and that the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) is the preferred method for pre-qualification in public projects. For more information see article the common assessment standard.

The client may prepare information packs (providing some general information about the project prior to issuing the invitation to negotiate).

If it is necessary and has not already been done, OJEU or other adverts are prepared and placed.

The client may organise a bidders' conference to promote the project and provide additional information to potential bidders.

Public sector contracts may subject to fair payment practices.
Public sector contracts may be subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
Public sector contracts are increasingly likely to include requirements for building information modelling (BIM). This may affect consultants’ appointments, pre-construction services agreements and the main contract and sub-contracts in relation to the supply of design information and ‘as built’ or ‘as manufactured and installed' information.

[edit] Preparing the invitation to negotiate.

If it has not already been done, the client develops the project brief into an output-based specification. They then select the form of contract and contract conditions (perhaps with advice from independent client advisers) and co-ordinate the preparation of the invitation to negotiate.

The client co-ordinates the preparation of pre-construction information, and if it has not already been done, the client prepares or arranges for the independent client advisers to prepare a site waste management plan (if required).

The client prepares (or arranges for the preparation of) a pre-tender estimate, cash flow projection and tender pricing document.

The client co-ordinates a review of the invitation to negotiate (including assessment of the pre-tender estimate in relation to the budget) and makes amendments if necessary.

The client instigates change control procedures for the invitation to negotiate and arranges printing of the invitation to negotiate.

[edit] Identifying potential bidders.

From responses received to any adverts placed, or from recommendations received, the client co-ordinates the preparation of a long list of potential bidders.

The client issues pre-qualification questionnaires (which may include an invitation to submit outline proposals) and information packs, if they have been prepared, to the long list of potential bidders.

The client receives completed pre-qualification questionnaires (and perhaps outline proposals) from the long list of potential bidders.

The client carries out financial checks on potential bidders (ideally the contract should not be more than 20% of the annual turnover of the potential bidders) and considers potential bidders' competence to act as principal contractor.

The client co-ordinates any advice from independent client advisers, the project manager and internal client team on the long list of potential bidders and prepares a short list of pre-qualified bidders. The short list of pre-qualified bidders may be further reduced (to just 3 or 4) by pre-tender interviews or by an invitation to submit outline proposals if this has not already been done.

If necessary, following comments received during the pre-tender interviews, the client co-ordinates amendments to the invitation to negotiate, and prepares a final short list of bidders.

[edit] Identifying the preferred bidder.

The client collates the invitation to negotiate and arranges for its dispatch to and return from the short-listed bidders. They then compile queries from bidders and co-ordinate responses (which should be issued to all bidders). If necessary, the client arranges mid-tender interviews and/or site visits for the bidders.

If queries from the bidders or discussions during the mid-tender interviews result in significant clarification of, or changes to, the invitation to negotiate, the client may wish to extend the bidding period.

The client receives the bids. They may follow a formal procedure for opening and recording bids. The client then co-ordinates assessment of the bids (including assessments by any the independent client advisers or the project manager). This may include further interviews.

The client may decide to deselect some of the bidders and request a best and final offer from the remaining bidders (no more than 2). The client then selects the preferred bidder. A reserve bidder should be retained in the event that negotiations with the preferred bidder are unsuccessful.

[edit] Entering into negotiations with the preferred bidder.

The client co-ordinates negotiations with the preferred bidder. Negotiations may be led at different stages by the client's in house team, independent client advisers, a contract administrator or by a project manager. This process of negotiation may involve development of, or changes to, any outline proposals prepared by the preferred bidder to ensure a best value solution is adopted. NB It is paramount in any negotiation that the individuals negotiating either have authority to fully negotiate terms or make it clear from the start the limits to their authority. This may mean re-convening with the right people empowered to make decisions.

The client co-ordinates the preparation of a tender report.

[edit] Gateway review 3: investment decision.

The senior responsible owner (SRO) commissions an independent peer review of the project, gateway review 3: investment decision, which re-assesses the business case and the governance arrangements prior to the decision to invest. Gateway reviews are mandatory for central civil projects and best practice for the health sector, local government and defence projects.

The review team issues a confidential review report to the senior responsible owner who then implements any actions necessary.

The senior responsible owner confirms that funding is available and that there is still stakeholder support for the project.

The Investment decision maker (IDM) considers whether to proceed to contract the preferred bidder.

[edit] Appointing the integrated supply team.

The client collates the contract documents and arranges for the printing (engrossment) and execution of two copies, one for the client to retain and one for the preferred bidder (from hereon called the integrated supply team). Alternatively, the client might retain one executed contract, with certified copies being issued to the integrated supply team, this can avoid potential errors in preparing two contracts for execution. The integrated supply team may be required to provide a performance bond, warranties and evidence of insurance cover.