6.19 It is important that evaluation criteria are consistent across all stages of the procurement process. When NHS bodies are evaluating proposals or submissions during the dialogue period they may not have fully costed proposals. Clearly, they will need to avoid a situation where the final bids are not affordable. In order to take account of price in the evaluation of submissions/proposals at this stage, participants should be asked to confirm in writing that the proposals set out in response will meet the quality standards set by the NHSScotland body and that their bids will be affordable within the ceiling set out in the ITPD document. Participants who are unable to provide such a confirmation should not be taken forward to the next stage.
6.20 As detailed in Chapter 5 of this section of the guidance, the NHSScotland body would have asked for participants responding during the dialogue period to set out their proposed approach in a number of areas, for example the services approach for the project. When setting the evaluation criteria for each of these areas, the evaluation team should define and agree the key aspects for the evaluation of responses.
6.21 Participants should be clearly informed that their willingness to accept, and ability to demonstrate that they can deliver on, the proposed risk allocation will play a key part in evaluating the most economically advantageous proposals and whether their bid is compliant.
6.22 The dialogue phase provides the greatest flexibility for bid developments and discussion. It is important that the Body is happy that a number of participants have developed acceptable solutions which will require minimum development following submission of Final Tenders. No material changes can be made to bids following submission of final tenders, unlike the previous negotiated procedures approach adopted in many PPP projects.