4.1 This chapter sets out the process by which an NHS body should reply to expressions of interest received in response to the contract notice placed in OJEU. This is done by issuing a Prequalification Questionnaire (PQQ) to potential participants together with a Memorandum of Information (MOI) which sets out details of the NHS body and of the proposed scheme. Where the NHS body is using the competitive dialogue procedure the Memorandum of Information is the equivalent to the "descriptive document" for the purposes of the Regulations. The aim of this stage is to prequalify a number of participants, normally between three and eight, who will progress to the later stages of the bid process i.e. to be invited to participate in dialogue. The decision on whether to longlist or shortlist participants at this stage depends upon the choice of procurement route taken at the Invitation To Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) stage. This is discussed further in Chapter 5 of this section of the guidance.
4.2 Key issues for consideration at this stage include:
• preparation of the Memorandum of Information;
• preparation of the Prequalification Questionnaire;
• methodologies for evaluation and selection of potential participants.