8.—(1) For the purposes of section 6 of the Act, a defined authority in respect of particular work shall, provided that they comply with the requirement specified in paragraph (2) below, be taken as having fulfilled their obligations under Part I of the Act as to the date after which an authority cannot carry out that work without complying with the six conditions if, by the date specified in these Regulations for that purpose, the authority have announced their decision as to who should carry out the work.
(2) The requirement referred to in paragraph (1) above is that the period between making the announcement of the relevant decision and the beginning of the period during which that work is to be carried out shall not be more than 3 months.
(3) This regulation shall apply only–
(a)in respect of management of vehicles, housing management and professional services; and
(b)to the first occasion when those services require to be let in terms of these Regulations in accordance with Part I of the Act.