The new standardised interactive Expression of Interest (EOI) form was launched on the Merlin Standard website in April 2013 to improve the tendering process by making it easier for potential subcontractors of welfare to work services to participate in future procurement rounds.
The EOI has been developed as a collaborative project by ERSA, the Merlin Advisory Board, emqc Ltd (the Merlin accreditation service provider), DWP, as well as prime providers and subcontractors in the welfare to work industry. The EOI is intended to eradicate the need for a subcontractor to complete a different template for each prime provider.
This notice is to make you aware that the previous less detailed EOI is no longer available for completion on the Merlin website, and subcontractors will only be able to access their stored copies until 1 September 2013 after which they will be permanently deleted.
To benefit from the simplification that the new EOI allows it is essential that subcontractors upload their details on to the new improved facility.
Growing the database will make the EOI an effective tool for both subcontractors and prime providers to identify supply chain partners. Widespread use of the template will cut the amount of resource required by subcontractors at the EOI stage of a tender and should encourage smaller organisations to participate in the procurement process. Prime providers will be able to use the search function to select those with their desired criteria e.g. location, delivery area or contract.
Please complete the EOI and store it on the Merlin website, ready for use.
The interactive form can be found on the Merlin website (http://www.merlinstandard.co.uk/search-eoi-beta.php).
