The objective of inviting expressions of interest (EoI) is to ascertain the level of market interest and determine whether the parties have the financial capacity, technical capability, demonstrated understanding of government requirements and resources to deliver the project.
An alternative approach that could be considered would be to demand a significant financial bond which is only returned if a bidder is removed from the short list, or at the time the contract is awarded to the winning bidder. Market soundings would need to be taken before it is decided to use bonds as an alternative to an evaluation at the EoI stage.
A practice has been observed overseas whereby some large construction companies have subsidiaries in each of the bidding consortia. This has the potential to reduce or compromise competition. The principle should be that parties with an equity stake in a bidding consortium should be completely independent of the parties that have equity stakes in other consortia.