4.1.1 It is a prerequisite that this criterion be met in full. The overall requirement having been specified, private sector bidders in competition are likely to come up with a variety of proposed solutions to meet it. The judgement to make before the appointment of a preferred bidder is whether that bidder offers a deliverable solution to achieve the specified levels of service (ie without being "gold-plated" at the one extreme, or falling below acceptable standards at the other) and will represent value for money. Although innovation should be encouraged, the risks associated with it should be assessed fully. The extent to which the bidder's proposals will meet the output specification must be assessed over the whole life of the contract.
4.1.2 If it looks likely that any bidder has the scope to refine its bid to match more closely the procurer's requirements, and it is considered appropriate to do so (legal advice having been obtained) then the opportunity should be given to shortlisted bidders to improve their earlier bids within a certain timescale. It clearly benefits the public sector to take advantage of competition and to negotiate and agree as much as possible before the appointment of a single preferred bidder, although care needs to be taken not to infringe the intellectual property rights of any of the bidders.