The Interactive Tender Process (ITP) provides an opportunity for active interface between the State and all Respondents during the Request for Proposal (RFP) Phase of Partnerships Victoria Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. Individual Respondents will have an opportunity to communicate with the State to clarify and discuss the State's requirements so as to assist development of high quality, value for money Proposals that meet the requirements of the RFP.
This ITP Plan relates to the ITP that will be conducted by the State during the RFP Phase of the [insert Project name] (the Project), in accordance with Volume 1, Part A (General Information and Instructions to Respondents) of the RFP1.
The objectives of the ITP are to:
• facilitate communication between Respondents and the State during the RFP Phase to develop high quality, well-considered, value for money Proposals that meet the requirements of the RFP;
• encourage Respondents to use the opportunity to seek maximum understanding of the State's requirements as expressed in the RFP and to test the acceptability of Respondents' proposed technical, commercial, operational, financial and legal offering;
• allow the State to gain an early understanding of the intentions of Respondents as they develop their Proposals, so as to reduce the likelihood of Respondents submitting unacceptable solutions and therefore, avoiding unproductive work being carried out by Respondents;
• provide guidance from the State in relation to alternatives to the RFP requirements that Respondents may be considering;
• provide Respondents with an opportunity to inspect the [#Site / #Sites /#Project Area], assets and infrastructure, as relevant; and
• improve the quality of Proposals and minimise the time that would be required for negotiation with the Preferred Respondent(s).
The RFP Phase is a competitive process that is anticipated to involve a significant amount of interaction between Respondents, the State and Project Stakeholders. Therefore, throughout the RFP Phase, the exchange and sharing of all information must occur in a manner that maintains integrity at all times and treats all Respondents fairly.
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1 With the exception of the Q&A Process and the Data Room which may be made available to Respondents prior to release of the RFP.