ULTRASIS - ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

I emailed PASA to ask what a likely timetable is for the tendering process, based on previous experience. Before I post the reply, I should make it perfectly clear that I was open and honest about the fact that I was an Ultrasis shareholder, so was not asking for any market sensitive info, nor would I want it. In her reply, Jan Bevan (of PASA), has given info that is available in the public domain, and has also copied Ultrasis' John Smith into her reply; as she says "In the spirit of being open and auditable in our dealings I have copied my contact from Ultrasis, John Smith, in on this e-mail".

The reply is as follows:

Dear Mr/Ms X

I can tell you that we are on course to meet the target stated highlighted in Professor Louis Appleby's open letter on the CSIP web site, ie to have a Framework Agreement in place for trusts to use by 31st March 2007. The OJEU Notice closed on 21st December and the expressions of interest are being evaluated. The next stage of the procurement process is to issue an Invitation to Tender in early January with evaluations taking place in late February with an award being made around mid March. I would then anticipate a further announcement on the CSIP web page.

This procurement exercise is being undertaken, as are all contracts and framework agreements undertaken by NHS PASA, using the European Procurement Legislation, under which we are bound to adhere to specific time frames and procedures. If you are interested in how this legislation works and the procedures we follow you can access the following site which provides further detail, www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/uksi_20060005_en.pdf

In the spirit of being open and auditable in our dealings I have copied my contact from Ultrasis, John Smith, in on this e-mail.

I hope this has answered your question and given you the confirmation you seek.
Kind Regards
Jan Bevan


So I think we may need to revise our predictions for an announcement date! Still, things are running on schedule which I am personally glad about.