Strategic Estates Partnership for Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Background

We advised Dorset County Hospital NHS FT (DCH) on its successful procurement process to select a partner to form a Strategic Estates Partnership (SEP). We have advised through all stages of the process from initial project planning through to financial close and beyond.

What we did that was special

Our advice on the procurement/competitive dialogue process helped to set the Trust on the right track. The first step on the legal side was to make sure the legal and commercial requirements that DCH presented to the bidders fitted the financial and technical requirements for the proposed partnership, both at JV level and at project level.

Structuring and conduct of the process was key and we made sure we got the JV-level outline structure right from the outset, and then ensured that the dialogue was managed effectively; including through the important clarification and bidder debrief processes.

Outcome/successes

Hempsons’ evaluations of bidder submissions were insightful and significant. We drew attention to the value for money and risk allocation implications of the legal sections of the bidder submissions. That advice in turn helped DCH to assess the legal and commercial implications of other sections of the bids. The SEP reached financial close on time, within budget, and without fuss or challenge.