§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will describe, without reference to details of individual tenders, the rules governing the competition for the recent orders for three Upholder class patrol submarines, including the deadlines for tenders and any opportunities for the submission of revised tenders; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeFour rounds of tendering were involved. Initial tenders were sought on 30 November 1984 (closing date for responses 19 March 1985), revised tenders were sought on 24 May 1985 (due back by 17 June 1985) and "best and final" bids were sought on 13 August 1985 (due back by 17 September 1985). Finally, on 25 November 1985, all tenderers were invited to revise or confirm their bids. The rules of this competition were those normally followed by my Department for follow-on vessels. The VSEL/CL bid offered substantially the best value for money to the defence budget.