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Private Finance and Investment

  • Last modified date:
    9 February 2007

These guidance notes and attached annexes form part of an initiative to streamline the procurement of PFI schemes, as set out in Improving PFI Procurement (March 2002). This guidance is applicable to the 4-2-1 procurement model only.

Date issued:  4 February 2003
Further details from: Private Finance Unit
Room 3W54
Quarry Hil
Quarry House
Leeds
LS2 7UE
Telephone - 0113 254 5420INTRODUCTION

  1. These guidance notes and attached annexes form part of an initiative to streamline the procurement of PFI schemes, as set out in Improving PFI Procurement (March 2002). This guidance is applicable to the 4-2-1 procurement model only.
  2. Those Trusts wishing to follow the 3-1 model should ensure that their ITNs include the questions set out at Annex 1. However, their content may need to be adjusted to ensure that sufficient detail is provided to evaluate bidders in one exercise, without unnecessary and time consuming clarification rounds. We do not anticipate that the questions in Annex 1 should be tailored to a great extent. Trusts considering significant omissions or additions should seek clearance from the Department of Health's Private Finance Unit.
  3. As part of their PITN documentation, Trusts present bidders with the list of scheme-relevant questions to which responses or proposals are requested. In the past it has been the case that Trusts developed their own PITN information requests to varying levels of detail and in a variety of formats. This approach had the following disadvantages: -Trusts constantly had to re-invent documentation, without benefit;
    -it was difficult for bidders to respond quickly, consistently and cost effectively to Trusts.

The attached documentation seeks to resolve these issues through standardising the information which Trusts request from bidders at PITN.

  1. Annex 1 contains a series of detailed questions that probe bidders' understanding of, and proposed approach to, the scheme. Their content was established after lengthy consultation with Trusts, their advisers and firms engaged in the PFI market. .
  2. The content and structure of the questions are mandatory for all Trusts regardless of their star rating and value of project. They should not be added to or otherwise amended without reference to the Department of Health's Private Finance Unit.
  3. Annex 2 contains a series of criteria to assist in the interpretation of bidder responses. Trusts and their advisers will be expected to treat the contents of this annex as indicative of the general approach to take in order to develop detailed evaluation criteria that reflect the unique circumstances of each PFI scheme
  4. The combination of a mandatory information request and a tailored evaluation system will ensure that Trusts select the right bidders for progression to FITN.

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