16th April 2009, 07:09 PM
I think that local government is allowed to ask for membership of a relevant body where that membership is a legal requirement of undertaking contracted work. Not sure that applies to the IfA.
However, local government is allowed to satisfy itself that any tenderer is qualified to undertake both the scope and quality of any tendered work. That may be based on an assumption that you have reached a quality standard, equivalant to that required for MIFA grade in the IfA and that you adhere to an ethical code equivalant to the IfA Code of Conduct. In my limited experience that is normally carried out through a pre-tendering questionairre not specific to a particular project. They may also enquire as to external quality control, insurance and other requirements in such a questionnaire.
My advice: if for the sake of a couple of hundred quid a year through joining the IfA you are saved a lot of hassle and pass though pre-qualification.....join the IfA.
If you want to make a case out of it, local government lawyers are normally pretty cute and will almost certainly have approved the legality of a contractual arrangement. If you care to dispute their opinion it may need a law department of your own...
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...
However, local government is allowed to satisfy itself that any tenderer is qualified to undertake both the scope and quality of any tendered work. That may be based on an assumption that you have reached a quality standard, equivalant to that required for MIFA grade in the IfA and that you adhere to an ethical code equivalant to the IfA Code of Conduct. In my limited experience that is normally carried out through a pre-tendering questionairre not specific to a particular project. They may also enquire as to external quality control, insurance and other requirements in such a questionnaire.
My advice: if for the sake of a couple of hundred quid a year through joining the IfA you are saved a lot of hassle and pass though pre-qualification.....join the IfA.
If you want to make a case out of it, local government lawyers are normally pretty cute and will almost certainly have approved the legality of a contractual arrangement. If you care to dispute their opinion it may need a law department of your own...
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...