§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the credit rating of companies seeking to tender for services provided by his Department is checked before the contract is awarded. [107743]
§ Mr. RookerFor DSS contracts the financial viability of prospective suppliers is always checked. This is usually conducted at a pre-qualification stage and before companies are formally invited to submit an offer. On most occasions companies are required to provide three years accounts. This information is professionally appraised in consideration of the expected value and relative risk of the contract.
§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how often the credit rating of companies supplying services to his Department is checked. [107747]
§ Mr. RookerOnce a contract has been let, it is not usual practice to conduct detailed reappraisals of financial information on suppliers unless there is reason to believe that the financial standing of a supplier has changed significantly since the contract was let.