3.2.8 The invitation for Expressions of Interest marks the beginning of the formal process for selecting the PPP provider, i.e. the formal procurement process. Basically, GPEs can adopt the selective tender for choosing a PPP provider. This is allowed under our Instruction Manual (IM), and is compliant with the WTO-Agreement for Government Procurement (GPA). Briefly, selective tendering involves a pre-qualification stage. At a later stage, the pre-qualified tenderers will submit their bids, while those who had not participated in the pre-qualification can submit their request for pre-qualification in order to submit their bids1.
3.2.9 We now describe the pre-qualification stage of this formal provider selection process. At this stage, GPEs should publish the Invite Expression of Interest (EOI) on the Government Electronic Business system (GeBIZ), the one-stop procurement portal for our public sector http://www.gebiz.gov.sg/. The objective of the Invite EOI is to invite private sector players who are interested in the PPP procurement to submit their bids, so that the GPE can pre-qualify potential PPP providers. This notice should include sufficient explanation of the project, and the period of Invite Expression of Interest notice. This Invite EOI is identical to the Pre-Qualification in the current Selective Tendering process.
3.2.10 An EOI notice should not be altered after it has been published. GPEs should pay special attention to the following aspects when drafting the Invite EOI.
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1 The GPA requires that suppliers who request to participate in a bid but who may not yet be qualified shall also be considered, provided there is sufficient time to complete the qualification procedure.