Risks when evaluating submissions

Submissions are not evaluated in the same way

Risks

  • Open to challenge that decision process was unfair

Solutions

  • Use a standard approach and methodology such as whole life costing or other appropriate scoring-based system
  • Document the decision process, evaluating the submissions against the published selection ( at pre-qualification stage) and award criteria

Lack of evidence of decision process

Risks

  • Open to challenge that decision process was unfair

Solutions

  • Use a standard approach and methodology such as whole life costing or other appropriate scoring-based system
  • Document the decision process, evaluating the submissions against the published selection ( at pre-qualification stage) and award criteria

Insufficient record of decisions

Risks

Solutions

  • Use a standard approach and methodology such as whole life costing or other appropriate scoring-based system
  • Document the decision process, evaluating the submissions against the published selection ( at pre-qualification stage) and award criteria

Clarifications change the nature of a bidder’s submission

Risks

  • Open to challenge that the response to a clarification materially changes a bidder’s submission

Solutions

  • Where a clarification materially changes a bidder’s submission the competition should be stopped and re-run or the bidder withdraws or is excluded from the competition

Whole life costing model not used as part of evaluation process

Risks

  • Important aspects that could differentiate bids may not be considered

Solutions

  • Consideration should be given to evaluating all 4 dimensions (financial, technical, quality, environmental and social) as these are all elements of a sustainable solution