Evaluation criteria

While the criteria will vary for each project, the key categories for assessment typically include:

• design - including a master plan, architecture, functionality, technical performance and likelihood of receiving planning and environmental approval;

• operational/services - including the proposed solutions for the delivery of the required services during the operating period;

• project management - including the proposed process for design, construction and completion including strategies for minimising the impact on the surrounding environment;

• commercial - including the commercial structure and the extent of contractual departures;

• financial - including the funding structure, certainty of finance and other financial assumptions;

• interface management - including the proposed processes for interfacing with other consortium members, government and key stakeholders throughout the life of the project; and

• risk adjusted cost - the financial 'price' of the proposal appropriately adjusted for risk.

The evaluation criteria are a mix of qualitative and quantitative criteria. Further details on the RFP evaluation are contained in Section 5.3.3.