The objective of this section is to provide the participant with the background to the project. Sufficient detail should be provided to enable the participant to take an informed decision as to whether to continue with the bidding process.
This section should set out the broad scope of the project (for example, site rationalisation) and what the private sector will be expected to deliver. It should also state that variant bids will be welcome and considered. Finally, there should be a statement that the NHSScotland Body is not bound to accept any tender, that the NHS Board has the right to cancel the scheme at any stage and that the NHSScotland Body cannot be held responsible for any participant's costs of tendering.
The text below gives an example of an introduction:
In 1997, Anytown NHS Board published their plans for the delivery of acute health services to the population of the town and a finalised strategy taking account of public opinion was approved in January 1998.
In particular these plans foresee that one of the three existing sites will close and the main site redeveloped to become the new hospital. Of the two remaining sites, one will continue to be owned and operated by the NHS Board as a community hospital. The remaining site will no longer be required.
The NHS Board has now invited, by means of notice in the Official Journal of the European Communities ('S' series dated 14.2.9x), applications from candidates who can fulfil the requirements of designing, building, financing and operating (DBFO) the new hospital. The contract will be awarded under the negotiated procedure applicable to Services Contracts under the 1993 Public Services Contracts Regulations.
The following principles will be adhered to in any forthcoming proposals:
• the provision of all non-clinical services listed in this document may be provided by the private sector in such a way that a high level of co-operation will exist between the NHS Board and the participants;
• the design of the redeveloped hospital must allow flexibility and adaptability to accommodate future health care needs and must, at a minimum, meet existing statutory requirements for hospital design;
• all proposals must comply with the NHS Executive's requirements with regard to value for money and show a substantial transfer of risk to the private sector.