In the overwhelming number of cases external advisors are involved at the initial feasibility stage.
The extent of the involvement of external advisors in the procurement process varies according to a number of factors such as the experience of the relevant contracting authority, the administrative level at which a project is implemented, the extent of the reliance on standard terms.
Although the experience can be somewhat contradictory, the availability of approved sets of standard documentation and guidance have generally proved effective in making public authorities more confident of their ability to deal with the process, saving time and helping them exert better control over the proceedings. It also makes them less dependant on external advisors8.
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8 A good example of the benefits which can be brought by standardisation is the UK PPP market. HM Treasury have issued standard wording and guidance for use by public sector bodies when drafting PFI contracts. This is called Standardisation of PFI Contracts, currently in version 4 (SoPC4). Contracting authorities must submit any requests to derogate from the standard wording and core principles of SoPC4 to the sponsoring government department. Final approval for derogations, where required, will be from HM Treasury. In addition, Local Partnerships, which is jointly owned by HM Treasury and the Local Government Association and which provides technical assistance to local authorities and other local public bodies in the UK in order to improve their ability to source and deliver high quality, cost-effective public services and infrastructure, has also produced a number of sector-specific "procurement packs" which contain guidance and model form procurement documents (such as standard pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ), invitation to submit outline solution (ISOS)) as well as standard model form contracts.