§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Accommodation and Office Services project authorised the PRIME contract in 1997; how many bidders were allowed, after the time limit had expired, to modify their bids; if the successful bidder's modified bid was significantly different from his original bid; and what assessment was made of the prospects for the successful bidder's first bid. [81602]
§ Angela EagleAccommodation and Office Services (AOS) consists of post opening and post dispatch, messenger services, stationery, typing, secretarial, reprographics, fleet administration, switchboard, and shuttle bus services.
These services, previously supplied to the Benefits Agency under 48 separate contracts and service level agreements, were tendered in eight large geographical lots. Invitations to tender for AOS were issued on 20 February 1998 to five bidders.
The deadline for bids was 20 March 1998 and five bids were received within this deadline. No bids were received or accepted outside this deadline. The bids were valid for a period of 90 days from date of receipt.
Owing to the complexity and range of the services, the evaluation of bids was not completed until after the 90-day period. This meant that bidders were able to reconsider their bids for specific, identified reasons. One bidder exercised their right to do so. Whilst all other bidders had the same opportunity, none did so. 19W There were two successful bidders for the services. Three lots were awarded to one bidder and two lots to the other; the remaining three lots were retained in-house on grounds of best value for money. Neither of the two successful bidders modified their bids.
It would not be proper to comment on the hypothetical status of a bid at any stage of the evaluation process other than the final decision.