PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION
The procedure for selecting consultants depends on the nature and size of the assignment concerned. However, in the case of an assignment to provide advice in connection with, and ultimately to implement, a divestiture, the procedure is as follows:

DIC draws up a shortlist of suitable firms appearing on the register. Short-listed firms are provided with tender documentation. This generally comprises a letter of invitation, terms of reference, supplementary information for consultants and a sample form of outsourcing contract.

Proposals received from short-listed firms must comprise separate technical and financial proposals and contain the information set out in the supplementary information for consultants. Completed proposals will be sealed in two separate envelopes: one envelope will contain the technical proposal, the other, the financial proposal. Proposals must be delivered, by hand or post, on or before the closing date stated in the letter of invitation. Late proposals are not accepted.

A two stage procedure is adopted for evaluating proposals received, with evaluation of technical proposals being completed prior to any financial proposals being opened and compared. Technical proposals are evaluated using the criteria and weightings set out in the letter of invitation. Proposals from only those firms scoring more than seventy points (out of a total of 100 points) for their technical proposals are considered for further evaluation. Financial proposals are also given a score of 100, once again on the basis and assumptions set out in the letter of invitation. Finally, each proposal is given combined score: for this purposes the weights given to the technical and financial proposals are eighty and twenty points respectively.

The winning firm is invited by DIC for negotiations. Negotiations usually start with a discussion of the firm’s proposal, the proposed work plan, staffing and any suggestions made to improve the terms of reference. Agreement is then reached on the final terms of reference and the staffing. Once full agreements has been reached, the outsourcing contract is signed.