Operation of the ISDS Competitive Dialogue Meetings

Bidders are likely to achieve greater clarity at these meetings if the Local Authority is able to prepare in advance. For this reason Bidders are strongly encouraged to submit agendas and any questions in writing to the Project Director at least 3 Working Days in advance. This process does not preclude Bidders from asking questions arising at the meeting.

During the ISDS Competitive Dialogue Meetings, the Local Authority or its advisers may answer questions and give guidance. It should be borne in mind that:

•  nothing said or intimated by the Local Authority, or its advisers, at these meetings will provide the Bidders with any kind of approval for their proposals in relation to their adequacy in meeting the Detailed Solution requirements or that they will score well on evaluation or represent the Local Authority's preferred route. The Local Authority will provide an indication where the proposals are clearly likely to fail in the event that they proceed, unchanged and form part of the Detailed Solution;

•  should any Bidders wish any matters raised at the meetings to be clarified or confirmed they will be required to submit a written request to the Project Director;

•  where questions are asked at the ISDS Competitive Dialogue Meetings which might be applicable or of interest to all Bidders, the Local Authority will circulate the questions and the answers to all Bidders as part of the ISDS circulars issued to Bidders at [insert number] weekly intervals as set out in paragraphs • and • of this Volume 1 of this ISDS. Further to paragraph • of this Volume 1 of this ISDS, such circulation of questions and answers is subject to, in so far as possible, such information being commercially sensitive in relation to a Detailed Solution. The Local Authority will act reasonably as regards the protection of such information, subject to the Local Authority' duties under the FOIA and the EIRs;

•  the ISDS Competitive Dialogue Meetings will also enable the Local Authority to ask questions of the Bidder; and

•  the ISDS Competitive Dialogue Meetings are not intended to replace formal written questions. However, notes of the ISDS Competitive Dialogue Meetings may be taken by the Local Authority and circulated to attendees.

The Local Authority reserves the right to hold additional dialogue meetings or to reduce the number of dialogue meetings set out in the timetable above. Requests for any further additional competitive dialogue meetings should be arranged with the Project Director.