Our Ref:         FOI-0002-2021

Thank you for confirming your request asking for information about the tender for the manufacture and installation of a controller for lifts and escalators.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.

Please find attached the evaluation meeting notes as requested. As discussed in a correspondence ref: TfL- 1382/Barwit REF SS03 issued on 27 March 2020, TfL stated “the decision has been made to no longer continue with this tender process. Accordingly, we will not award this framework contract. Considering current events, TfL are re-assessing their activities to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.”

In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to provide the comments provided on the proposals from the other bidders as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the companies involved. Disclosure of details of their submissions could hinder the ability of these companies being able to competitively tender for similar contracts in the future. As mentioned above, we are no longer continuing with this tender under the current circumstances, however we may choose to retender this framework in the future.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, particularly where the expenditure of public money is concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money and that our tender processes remain fair outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.

Please note, the Government has announced a series of measures to tackle the coronavirus. It is essential for London, and in particular for all critical workers, that we continue to provide a safe transport network that enables them to make the journeys they need to.

In current circumstances, we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.

Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]

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