A PIN Notice can be used for early warning to the market but it can also be used in the same way as a contract notice( Regulation 28) If its used as a call to competition it must contain the information outlined in Annex V Part B I and II in the 2014 Procurement Directive.
If you have an upcoming opportunity and specifically want to reduce the timescales for an open, restricted and competitive procedure with negotiation it means only suppliers who respond will be invited as part of the competition. Only those who confirm their expression of interest will receive the PQQ document if its applicable depending on the procedure.
If using a PIN Notice for competition it must contain the following:
- Details of the Contracting Authority
- CPV and NUTS code
- A brief description of the procurement exercise
- Formal expression of interest from the supplier to the Authority
- Type of Procedure used
- Timescales for contract
- Description of selection criteria and award criteria
- If using the restricted procedure state the minimum or maximum number of companies they intend to invite for tender
- Must be advertised for a minimum of 30 days
- 10 days must be allowed for the Tender stage
Most authorities won’t use the PIN as a call for competition and will use it to reduce the timescales for formal Contract Notice. For example, it can be used to reduce timescales of a tender from 30 days down to 10 ( submitted electronically)
- It must be published for between 35 days and 12 months for it to be effective in reducing timescales
Suppliers may be confused whether if the PIN is a request for early market engagement or an actual call for competition, therefore, the Authority should make it really clear what the intention is.
Note this can be used by the wider public sector and not Central Government!