The process is now at the Invitation to Tender stage.

The starting point for a contract is frequently a published 'Invitation to Tender'.

This platform is currently used by all federal authorities for notifying invitations to tenders.

The Invitation to Tenders were issued to the four bidders in November 2008.

Details of any environmental requirements that suppliers need to be aware of will always be included in the Invitation to Tender documents.

The Invitation to Tender was be issued in October 2012, with the successful bidder announced in spring 2013.

On 2 July 2012 the Department for Transport issued the Invitation to Tender to the shortlisted bidders.

The Department for Transport will produce a summary of the consultation responses alongside the Invitation to Tender, which will be published in May 2012.

The portal covers all major phases of public procurement ranging from issuance of invitations to tenders to the announcement of contract awards.

An enterprise may employ a solution architect on a feasibility study, or to prepare a solution vision or solution outline for an Invitation to Tender.

In May 2011 a Draft Invitation to Tender was issued to the shortlisted bidders, which stated the franchise start date had been postponed until 9 December 2012.

On 18 January 2005 the Strategic Rail Authority issued the Integrated Kent Franchise Invitation to Tender to the shortlisted bidders.

The Invitation to Tender was issued to the shortlisted bidders in January 2012 with the Department for Transport awarding FirstGroup the new franchise in August 2012.

In October 2006 the Department for Transport issued the Invitation to Tender to the shortlisted bidders, Arriva, First, National Express and Virgin Rail Group.

In January 2013 the government announced a revised Invitation to Tender would be issued in summer 2013 with an interim contract for up to two years to be negotiated with National Express.

When HMRC has completed the evaluation of Invitations to Tender and reached a decision it will inform the successful and unsuccessful bidders in writing or by the e-sourcing messaging function without delay.

When issuing an Invitation to Tender HMRC will be as explicit as possible in specifying its needs, for example, quality, technical capability/specification, delivery and timescales and where applicable HMRC also includes technical and commercial questionnaires.

On 16 November 2007, the Department for Transport issued its IEP Invitation to Tender to three shortlisted entities: Alstom-Barclays Rail Group; Express Rail Alliance (Bombardier, Siemens, Angel Trains and Babcock & Brown.)

InterCity West Coast Draft Invitation to Tender (ITT) consultation InterCity West Coast Draft Invitation to Tender (ITT) consultation.

In October 2004 the Strategic Rail Authority issued the Invitation to Tender for the InterCity East Coast franchise to the four shortlisted bidders, Danish State Railways/EWS, First, GNER and Virgin Rail Group.