Inviting wider proposals may not have produced a better outcome

2.11  In our view, public sector vendors are normally most likely to maximise the value they receive if they inform all potential bidders of the exact parameters of what is on offer. If the market is not clear about what is available, then there must be some doubt whether the resulting deal really is the best available in the market.

2.12  Some bidders realised that more land could in fact be available. English Partnerships, the Department and their advisers believe that to have made a clear open offer of more land would have diminished interest in the Dome itself and, in any case, the winning Consortium has such strengths that the final choice of partner would not have been different, even had further strong consortia been attracted. The National Audit Office takes the view that it is unclear whether such an offer would have produced additional strong bids. And, as stated in paragraph 2.8, the Department and English Partnerships perceived the need for ongoing flexibility and decision-making in order to achieve the Government's objectives, including long term use of the Dome.