Compulsory Competitive Tendering

A guide to the law and practice of compulsory tendering under the Local Govenment Act 1988, written from the local authority point of view. It aims to give bidders an insight into the competitive process. Local government organization, contract drafting and documentation are covered in depth.

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A guide to the law and practice of compulsory tendering under the Local Government Act 1988, written from the local authority point of view. It aims to give bidders an insight into the competitive process and to go step-by-step through the whole spectrum of its operation showing how the tender process can be successfully completed. It provides practical guidance on drafting contracts, inviting tenders or awarding contracts, highlighting the problems and pitfalls that exist. The work starts with a full explanation of the legal provisions of the Act advising which authorities and which activities are covered and which services are exempt. It explains the organizational structure within which compulsory competitive tendering must operate. Every stage of tendering is explained providing explicit guidance on how to confirm with the strict requirements of the Act.
Aspects covered include: the conditions each contract must contain, how to avoid anti-competitive behaviour when drafting the contract, how a tender should be invited, how a bid should be made, the correct method of choosing a contractor, how to award the contract, how to monitor the contract, how the award of a contract can be challenged. It aims to miss nothing. From information on time limits, penalty clauses, clause headings from sample conditions of contract and drafting checklists, to specimen documents such as the statutory advertisement, details of payment, variation clauses, termination and default provisions and arbitration clauses, every last detail aims to be covered. Finally, the authors outline the special accountancy requirements of compulsory competitive tendering and explain the views of the Department of the Environment, the Audit Commission and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Regular releases updating the work will be available.