Timescales

Derogation requests should be submitted in good time bearing in mind the date of the relevant procurement milestone. An initial collective (i.e. CLG/HCA/IUK) response on all initial derogations will normally be provided within 6-8 weeks of the acknowledgement by HCA that complete and satisfactory derogations tables and accompanying narrative papers has been received. Where not complete or satisfactory, the HCA will advise the Authority that consideration of the derogations has not commenced and will not commence until the material has been re-submitted in the required form.

CLG/HCA/IUK responses should generally be regarded as final. If an Authority and/or bidders do wish to continue to seek derogation, this will be subject to CLG/HCA/IUK willingness to consider further. The derogations process would then re-commence and continue until all derogations sought are resolved.  This subsequent process will be outside the 6-8 week timescale. Self-evidently, the entire derogations process will be quicker if derogations are kept to a minimum.