Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what criteria for future funding eligibility were set by his Department and Adam Smith International at the time that organisation withdrew from his Department's funding opportunities in February 2017; and whether those criteria were met by February 2018.

At the time of Adam Smith international's (ASI’s) voluntary withdrawal from DFID procurements in January 2017, our position made it clear that ASI, along with all other suppliers, will only be eligible to bid on future funding if they were able to demonstrate their ability to adhere to the high standards of integrity expected from government contractors, whilst delivering the best results for the world’s poorest and value for money for UK taxpayers.

As of February 2018, following more than a year of voluntary withdrawal from procurement, ASI resumed bidding for work with HMG. DFID is legally obliged to consider all bids from ASI in full compliance with the Procurement Regulations, and we do so in accordance with the fair and transparent tender requirements that were advertised, as is the case with any bidder.