§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what systems are in place to ensure that products and services purchased by e-auction are subject to the same quality and clinical reliance tests as those purchased under normal tender procedures. [164342]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 29 March 2004]: Suppliers invited to participate in an e-auction are initially subjected to a traditional tender process, where product quality issues are assessed. Only those suppliers who meet the minimum criteria on both commercial viability and product quality and standards are invited to submit an initial tender and to participate in any subsequent e-auction event. The award of contracts following an e-auction is not based on the lowest bid price, but on a combination of factors including quality, service and price.