Appendix 1 Key events during the procurement of Airwave

 

Year

Month

Publication of the final report of the Review of Radio Communications in the Police and Fire Services

1993

March

Publication of the Prior Information Notice

1995

July

Project Notice published in the Official Journal of the European Communities

1996

January

Fire Service withdrew

1996

January

Outline Business Case produced

1996

April

Invitation to tender for project definitions studies issued

1996

August

O2 left as the single bidder

1997

April

O2 awarded a contract for a project definition study

1997

October

O2 completed its project definition study

1998

September

Commercial negotiations with O2 started

1998

December

Publication of the Association of Chief Police Officers' review of Airwave

1999

June

O2 submitted its best and final offer

1999

October

PA Consulting's examination of the procurement

2000

January

Final Business Case produced

2000

January

O2 awarded the contract for Airwave

2000

February

Government announced £500 million available to fund the first three years of Airwave

2000

July

Pilot phase begun

2000

November

Pilot extended

2001

June

PITO conditionally accepted the pilot

2001

September

Roll-out commenced

2001

September