Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Finance whether it is normal practice to delay the issue of tender documents in the public procurement process whilst funding or business case matters are being resolved. [Priority Written]
Minister of Finance: The Department of Finance, Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) includes two Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPEs), Construction Division and Supplies and Services Division, which award contracts on behalf of Departments and their Arms-Length Bodies.
CPD will proceed to issue tender documents following approval by the funding Department. Where a Department has approval to issue tender documents pending the necessary business case or funding approvals, this information will be included in the published documentation to notify prospective tenders of the potential funding uncertainty.
I cannot confirm the practice in other CoPEs (i.e. NI Water, Education Authority, Health Estates, HSC Business Service Organisation Procurement and Logistics, Department for Infrastructure Transport and Road Asset Management, NI Housing Executive, Translink).
ENDS
Your MLA 