Once this process has been completed, it is expected that the following courses of action may be appropriate:
• Address or resolve the scheme specific issues (to the extent possible) and to the extent required to be able to progress the scheme to market (on a Project Team basis);
• Compile a project brief detailing the key features of the project (scope of accommodation, key timings, scope of the services, project management arrangements and level of stakeholder support) which could be used in advocating the project to potential participants;
• Initial calls to be made to contact lists to confirm appropriate organisations and representatives are recoded and to take contacts forward following any market contact;
• One on one interviews as part of projects scoping exercise;
• A Prior Information Notice (PIN) could be let to inform the market that the respective project will go to formal advert in the next 3-6 months (having considered the timing of other competing schemes and release of participants from schemes in procurement) and indicate the date of an open day for the project. A briefing pack would be sent to anyone who responds to the PIN notice;
• Delegated project team members follow up this by calling the contact list, advising them of the PIN and offer to send the briefing pack;
• Hold an Open Day for Participants which would be attended by relevant organisations from the wider health economy;
• As part of the open day (and as a follow up), the Project Team to obtain further feedback on the scope and content of each Project in so far as it impacts on its attractiveness to the bidding market (this can be done via a questionnaire or one to one meetings); and
• Issue OJEU notice (if there is a delay in this, issue an updated project brief to interested participants).
Before any of the above can be carried out, it is vitally important that the project team develop a coherent and consistent message to deliver to the market, particularly with regards to the timing and content of the project. Experience has shown that projects which are delayed or re-scoped post "warming" of the market, usually suffer in terms of participant interest due to a lack of confidence in the procuring organisation.
Following the market launch (and PIN if this approach is followed), participants will have the opportunity to meet with the Project Officers to become more familiar with the scheme. This can also provide an opportunity for participants to deliver feedback on how the scope of the scheme could be amended to ensure their participation and improve competition (and therefore aide the delivery of best value).
Given the above, the following areas should continue to be addressed:
• Develop scope and risk allocation. The Project Team should give early consideration to the Project Agreement (and commercial scope of the Project) and in doing this, set out how important scheme-specific matters will be dealt with;
• Develop overall project timetable. Existing project timetables should be reviewed and updated;
• Focused marketing. The Project Team will continue to target those potential participants who have the capacity and capability to undertake the Project and engage with them in one-to-one discussions;
• Set prospective dates for PIN advert. This will be a key market warmer for the scheme in question;
• Set prospective dates for OJEU advert. Adverts will only be placed if a competition is likely to emerge; and
• Set prospective dates for OJEU advert. Adverts will only be placed if a competition is likely to emerge.