The European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) is now in effect
The European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) is now in effect and becomes a standard form for part of the Public Sector tendering selection process.
The Public Contracts Regulations requires a contracting authority to accept an ESPD from bidders as part of the selection process to reduce the administrative burden on bidders and the authority by simplifying the manner in which information and evidence is provided at the selection stage.
What is the European Single Procurement Document?
The ESPD is essentially a form of self-certification that the bidder does not fall within any of the listed grounds for exclusion and has the necessary financial resilience and technical and professional ability to perform the contract. The intention is to reduce the amount of documentation required from bidders at an early stage in the competition by avoiding the need for bidders to submit evidence and documentation in support of the ESPD statements.
Of course the door is still open for the contracting authority to see this evidence at any point where it is necessary to ensure the proper conduct of the process. However, it is likely that the contracting authority will not need this, except for the evidence from the bidder who has been nominated to be awarded the contract. The winning bidder will have to produce the documents.
The European Commission recently published the standard form for the ESPD. As of yesterday, 26th January 2016, in England and Wales contracting authorities must accept the ESPD from bidders as evidence, instead of certificates issued by public bodies or third parties (e.g. banks) to confirm that the bidder:
- Is not in breach of one of the mandatory or discretionary exclusion criteria.
- Meets the selection criteria set out at Regulation 58 (suitability to perform the contract, economic and financial standing and technical and professional ability).
- Where applicable, meets the criteria that the contracting authority is intending to apply to reduce the numbers who are invited to bid (e.g. for the Restricted procedure).
The Implementing Regulation states that procurement documents must reference what information the ESPD requires and that the ESPDs must be submitted with the tender in an Open Procedures and with the Request to Participate in others.
Author: Andrew Haigh PPM APMP, Director and Public Sector Bid Consultant at Sixfold International Ltd
If you receive an Invitation to Tender for a Public Sector contract which is worded in such a way as to prevent the appropriate information being submitted as an ESPD, please call us on 01227 860375 and we should be able to advise you on what you need to do to get the requirements altered.
To view our latest vacancies for bid and proposal professionals, follow this link. To help us connect you with a winner to add to your team, follow this link.
APMP Foundation Training in Leeds on 8th March
Our partners at Strategic Proposals have announced that in addition to the London course they will be running APMP Foundation training in Leeds on 8th March.
Demand for APMP certified candidates is increasing so don’t miss out on your chance to develop your existing skills and gain professional accreditation.
Discount on APMP Foundation Training
You can complete the course for a special discounted rate of £455 + VAT. This rate assumes candidates have an APMP membership. Candidates will also require a copy of APMP’s Proposal Guide textbook (£55 + VAT).
If you are interested in finding out more please contact the team on 020 8158 3952.
New COO of the APMP UK Chapter Announced
The appointment of Amanda Nuttall as the new Chief Operating Officer of the APMP UK has just been announced. Amanda will act as COO for 2016 and will go on to take over as CEO in 2017.
We wish Amanda all the very best in her new appointment and look forward to working with her to drive the organisation forward. She is an excellent choice and we are certain she will bring a fresh approach.
Please join us in congratulating Amanda and wishing her all the best in her new role.
The Bid Solutions Team
To view our latest vacancies for bid and proposal professionals, follow this link. To help us connect you with a winner to add to your team, follow this link.
Looking for a change in 2016? We have successfully placed more bid & proposal professionals than any other business.
Are you looking for a career change in 2016? The start of a New Year always brings a time of reflection and resolution, particularly when it comes to working life. As Bid Recruitment experts, we’re well placed to help.
It has been reported by Standard Life that 54% of UK workers would like to change their career in 2016, with this figure rising to 72% for those aged between 25 and 34. The reasons for wanting to move are varied but the most common reasons reported were poor management and not feeling valued in their job.
Bid Recruitment Experts
This report mirrors findings in the Bid Solutions 2015 salary survey in which 52% of respondents had been in their current role for less than 2 years. Only 27% of respondents had been in their current role for more than 4 years. This confirms a very high staff turnover within the profession. Very few people are seemingly promoted or change roles within a company and surprisingly 48% of all respondents had changed organisations within the last 2 years.
The Standard Life report also showed that career progression is most important to those under the age of 34 while salary becomes less important past the age of 50.
One in five employees is said to have already started their job search, taking advantage of the many new opportunities this busy period has to offer.
If you are part of the 54% looking for change and would like a confidential discussion about your career options, please contact our APMP Certified team on 020 8158 3952 / recruitment@bidsolutions.co.uk We have successfully placed more bid and proposal professionals than any other business and are on-hand to provide expert advice to help you climb the bid and proposal career ladder.
To view our latest vacancies for bid and proposal professionals, follow this link. To help us connect you with a winner to add to your team, follow this link.
APMP Foundation Training
Have you been considering gaining a professional qualification but not yet followed it up? The start of a New Year brings a focus on both personal and professional development and is a great time to invest in your career. Our partners at Strategic Proposals are running APMP Foundation Training on 16th February in London.
Why take APMP Foundation Training?
Achieving APMP certification is a great way to show to current employers your commitment to personal development and best practice, as well as boosting your appeal to future employers.
We have seen the demand for APMP certified candidates increasing, with the majority of large organisations requesting APMP Foundation as a minimum requirement in their search for new staff.
Our most recent salary survey showed strong evidence that suggested achieving any level of APMP Certification will lead to an increased salary.
You can complete the course for a special discounted rate of £455 + VAT. This rate assumes candidates have an APMP membership. Candidates will also require a copy of APMP’s Proposal Guide textbook (£55 + VAT).
If you are interested in finding out more please contact the team on 020 8158 3952.
To learn more about bid writing courses, click here.
