The University of Iowa has yet to put out a request for qualifications for a public/private partnership to operate its utility system.

This request, which is a step that establishes the qualifications of vendors or contractors seeking to be considered for a project, was expected to be released April 1.

UI media-relations director for Strategic Communication Anne Bassett said in an email to The Daily Iowan that university officials would disclosed the updated timing to the campus when the request has been completed but did not offer a timeline.

“The University of Iowa continues to incorporate the thoughtful feedback received from faculty, staff, and students as the process goes on to see if entering into a public/private partnership involving the utility system is right for campus,” she said.

After the completion of this process, the qualified firms are then eligible to submit responses to the request for proposals, which is generally done through a bidding process. UI officials previously said they would aim to complete that process by early June, though it is unclear how this delay may set back that timeline.