2. This Guidance Note is aimed at DPA PFI projects which are in the preferred bidder stage of their procurement. Many of the points it raises are dependent on actions taken during the competitive stage of the procurement process (i.e. prior to appointment of the preferred bidder) and this Guidance Note should be read with DPA PPFI Guidance Note on Drafting PFI Contracts especially if that guidance has not been previously consulted by the IPT. IPTs must also have read and satisfied the tests set out in the DPA PPFI Guidance Note on Selection of the Preferred Bidder (see paragraph 45 below) and consulted Treasury Taskforce Technical Note No.4 (How to appoint and work with a preferred bidder). Despite that earlier guidance there are still a number or projects which enter the preferred bidder stage without the required level of certainty on key issues. Rather than assume that the earlier guidance has been completely adhered to, this note looks at situations where (for whatever reason) the IPT finds itself exposed to a variety of common pitfalls. It assumes that the IPT has conferred preferred bidder status (or is imminently to do so) and looks at the next steps under three broad headings:
• What happens during the Preferred bidder stage;
• Common Pitfalls during the Preferred bidder Stage; and