First ever Batch Procurement uses E-Box's PFINet

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Feb 10, 2005

In the first ever example of the Department of Health's Batching initiative, the Northern Batch PFI Project has announced it is using E-Box's web enabled document collaboration tool PFINet.

In the first ever example of the Department of Health's Batching initiative, the Northern Batch PFI Project has announced it is using E-Box's web enabled document collaboration tool PFINet.

Salford Royal Hospitals and the Tameside and Glossop Acute Services are the two procuring NHS Trusts in the £270 million private finance deal.

The scheme is currently at the ITN (Invitation to Tender) evaluation stage with the three bidders being Catalyst, Consort Healthcare and Equion.

A preferred bidder is scheduled for selection in Spring, following which the Framework Partner Agreement will be signed.

Nick Hughes, Managing Director of E-Box, commented: "We're thrilled to be intrinsically involved with the scheme, helping provide a secure, scalable and auditable communications and document management system for both Bidders and the Trust".

" This way, there are no issues concerning out of date information or levels of user access - it just works smoothly and facilitates the whole bidding and PFI process." Gillian Parker, Capital Planning Director for SRHT and Batch Procurement Director agrees, adding: "It enabled the Northern Batch to issue a wholly electronic tender thereby reducing costs and freeing up resources".

" It has proved invaluable as an audit tool and as a means of communicating with three Bidders and numerous Trust advisers, particularly as we have the added complexity of being two procuring organisations based in different locations." Brian Banfield, Project Director for the NHS Batching Initiative, said "What we wanted was a document management system that would give the team greater control over the information being provided to Bidders, the submissions they received and the subsequent rounds of clarification/evaluation".

" Confidentiality and encouragement of a disciplined approach to the management of the process was also required - the E-Box solution provided it all.".