Appendix 2 Key events during the procurement of the partnership

1993

 

 

The Agency undertook to consider market testing their in-house IT services.

1995

 

April

CCTA commenced a definition study of the project.

September

The Agency’s management board accepted, with some reservations, CCTA’s report defining the partnership.

1996

 

February

The Agency's advert appeared in the Official Journal of the European Communities. The Agency received 56 expressions of interest. To each interested party the Agency sent a questionnaire. 22 parties responded. From these the Agency prepared a long list of 12 potential bidders.

May

The Agency postponed the issue of the Outline Specification.

June/July

The Agency reorganised their procurement team.

August

The Agency appointed ASE to provide advice on IT matters. The Agency issued their Outline Specification to the long list of potential bidders and hosted an open suppliers meeting.

October

The Agency appointed Berwin Leighton as legal advisors. The Agency decided to structure the partnership through a joint venture company.

December

The Agency appointed KPMG as temporary financial advisors.

1997

 

January

The Agency postponed the issue of the Full Specification while their IT staff were given an opportunity to review the document.

April

The Agency appointed Capita as financial advisers. The Agency issued their Full Specification to the six remaining potential bidders.

June

The Agency received two responses to their Full Specification.

July

The Agency completed their review of the two responses and rejected one of these.

July/August

The Agency decided not to hold effective control over the joint venture company, a material change to the procurement.

September

The Agency re-invited the six potential bidders to respond to the Agency's decision to pass control of the joint venture company to their partner. This did not engender further interest in the project.

October

The Agency commenced their negotiations with CMG.

1998

 

8 June

The Contract was signed.