University of Louisville Runs Out the Clock on its RFP.

Release of a supplemental response to one question about UofL’s partner search, and possible foot dragging on another.

The University of Louisville has published an addendum to one of the questions posed by those interested in learning more about their Request for Proposal to find a new partner for their Health Science Center Activities. I wonder why? Their initial answer was not very helpful at all. It is emphasized that responses are still due on March 23, one week from the release of the following supplemental response.

Original question and answer:

Q36 Section 5.3 of the Request for Proposal references a Joint Operating Agreement structure. What additional structures would be acceptable? Please elaborate on the preference for one structure over another.

Response: This issue was suggested to allow respondent to propose one or more approaches to operating structures.

Additional UL/ULH Response to Q36 released March 16, 2012

The University and UMC will consider any and all transaction types and operating structures, including mergers, joint ventures, and/or joint operating agreements. Any selected arrangement must sufficiently protect the University’s right to control its interest in University of Louisville Hospital.

I am beginning to have a feeling that the University is purposely slow in releasing requested material. The bulk of the original RFP released Feb 23, 2012 is the University’s Affiliation Agreement with University Hospital. On its last page, the agreement referenced several critical-sounding Schedules and Exhibits that were not included. At the time of the Pre-Submission Conference on Feb 28, the audience was told that for copies of these additional documents we needed to contact a specific individual at the University. After some initial difficulty with confusion with her name, I eventually I found her, made telephone contact to confirm that I had the right person, told her my request was on the way, and one week ago on March 10, formally submitted in writing my request for copies of the Schedule and Exhibits. Since then I have had neither acknowledgement nor response to my request. In the meantime the clock ticks away. I hope other interested parties are having better luck than I in obtaining information from the University, but its track record is not very good in this regard. In this season of basketball tournaments, I wonder if the game plan of the University is to run out the clock. No way to run a business in my opinion.

I will call again tomorrow to see what is happening and let my readers know.

Peter Hasselbacher, MD
March 18, 2012

2 thoughts on “University of Louisville Runs Out the Clock on its RFP.”

  1. The Schedules and Exhibits to the Affiliation Agreement that is part of the University of Louisville’s RFP for a new partner were placed on the UofL Purchasing website on March 20 in the afternoon. I will post a pace with links to the individual documents.
    Peter Hasselbacher

  2. My email of Sunday night was answered today, Monday afternoon. My request was “received” as of March 12, the “next business day” after I sent the request March 10. I am told that the records will be put on the UofL Purchasing website, perhaps tomorrow.

    Responses to the RFP are still due Friday!

    Peter H.
    March 19

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