PART 8PRE-QUALIFICATION STAGE
Pre-qualification
13.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), on the date specified in the notice published in accordance with regulation 11(1), (2) or (3), the Authority shall commence the pre-qualification stage by publishing the pre-qualification documentation, which shall include the information specified in Schedule 3.
(2) Where the Authority determines not to hold a qualification to tender stage in accordance with regulation 12(2), on the date specified in the notice published in accordance with regulation 11(1), (2) or (3), the Authority shall commence the pre-qualification stage by publishing–
(a)the pre-qualification documentation, which shall include the information specified in Schedule 3;
(b)the confidentiality agreement in respect of each relevant qualifying project within that tender round to be signed and submitted to the Authority by bidders; and
(c)any instructions that apply to the confidentiality agreement including the date, time and manner in which that confidentiality agreement is to be submitted to the Authority.
(3) Where paragraph (2) applies, as soon as reasonably practicable after a bidder has submitted one or more signed confidentiality agreements in respect of particular qualifying projects to the Authority in accordance with paragraph (2)(c), the Authority shall issue to that bidder any confidential information in respect of those particular qualifying projects.
Determination of qualifying bidders at the pre-qualification stage
14.—(1) The Authority shall evaluate each completed pre-qualification questionnaire submitted to it by a bidder in accordance with the evaluation criteria set out in the pre-qualification documentation, in order to determine in respect of each qualifying project within that tender round–
(a)where a qualification to tender stage is to be held, which bidders shall become qualifying bidders and be invited to participate in the qualification to tender stage in accordance with regulation 15; or
(b)where a qualification to tender stage is not to be held, which bidders shall become qualifying bidders and be invited to participate in the invitation to tender stage in accordance with regulation 17.
(2) The Authority may decline to consider a pre-qualification questionnaire submitted to it by a bidder where the Authority determines that the submitted pre-qualification questionnaire does not comply in any material respect with the requirements specified in the pre-qualification documentation issued in accordance with regulation 13(1) or regulation 13(2)(a).
(3) The Authority shall give notice to each bidder of its determination in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) and give reasons for its determination.