What process and procedures were designed and implemented to ensure that CalMac was not treated preferentially during the recent tendering …

The companies invited totender were given access to extensive information on the services to be tenderedand the current operation. In addition, tenderers had the opportunity torequest supplementary information and all such requests were answered duringthe bidding period with the supplementary information then supplied to alltenderers.
The procurement process,including the evaluation of bids, was co-ordinated by the Scottish ProcurementDirectorate, which is responsible for ensuring compliance with EU and Executivewide procurement requirements and procedures. A separate Northern Islestendering branch was established within the Enterprise Transport and LifelongLearning Department to lead the Project Team managing the tender process. Therewas clear separation between the role of this branch and the branch responsiblefor sponsorship of Caledonian MacBrayne. This Chinese wall was supported byseparate line management reporting arrangements within the Department. Similarly,responsibilities between tendering andsponsoring interests were split in the Finance and Central Services Departmentand in the Office of the Solicitor to the Scottish Executive.
This Chinese wall wasstrictly maintained at all times, including handling of documents, access topaper files, copying of emails and minutes, and securing of electronic files.The Invitation to Tender set out in detail(section 5) the procedures for ensuring transparent and fair evaluation oftenders, and confirmed for all bidders that there were organisational measuresin place to address the issue of involvement by Caledonian MacBrayne.