23.1 The evaluation method may either include the Quality and Cost Based Selection ("QCBS") method or the Cost Based Selection ("CBS") method. The Contracting Authority shall determine and thereafter seek concurrence of the PPP Authority on the appropriate evaluation method, on the criteria and the weighting (where relevant), and this shall be clearly stipulated in the RFP or IFB document.
23.2 Quality and Cost Based Selection ("QCBS") Method: Under this method the technical criteria (including commercial criteria, where applicable) and the financial criteria of the Proposal or Bid (as applicable) shall be taken into account in selection of the Preferred Bidder. The technical criteria (including commercial criteria, where applicable) and financial criteria shall be outlined in the RFP or IFB document.
The Proposal or Bid (as applicable) shall be evaluated and scored. There shall be a technical score and a financial score, which shall be weighted in order to derive the total score. The Shortlisted Bidder or Bidder (as applicable) with the highest total score shall be awarded the PPP Project.
The evaluation criteria may also include additional criteria in order to ensure that there are no Tied Proposals or Tied Bids. Such additional criteria may include the use of Best And Final Offer ("BAFO") as set out in Guideline 24 herein below.
23.3 Cost Based Selection ("CBS") Method: Under this method, the technical criteria (including commercial criteria, where applicable) may be evaluated on a pass/fail and/or scoring basis. The Shortlisted Bidders or Bidders who have either passed the technical evaluation or the requisite number of Shortlisted Bidders or Bidders as stipulated in the RFP or IFB who have ranked/scored the highest from among the Shortlisted Bidders or Bidders in the technical evaluation may be identified and only their Financial Proposals or Financial Bids may be opened, evaluated and scored. The Shortlisted Bidder or Bidder (as applicable) who receives the highest financial score may be awarded the PPP Project.
Alternatively, in case of a two-stage bidding process, subject to the qualification criteria, where the Shortlisted Bidders have been invited to submit only their Financial Proposals under the RFP Stage, the Financial Proposals of the Shortlisted Bidders may be opened, evaluated and scored under this method. The Shortlisted Bidder who receives the highest financial score may be awarded the PPP Project.
The Contracting Authority may, subject to the concurrence of the PPP Authority, if it so desires, indicate a maximum ceiling below or minimum floor above which the Shortlisted Bidders or Bidders (as applicable) should bid as part of their Financial Proposal or Financial Bid (as applicable).
The evaluation criteria may also include additional criteria in order to ensure that there are no Tied Proposals or Tied Bids. Such additional criteria may include the use of Best And Final Offer ("BAFO") as set out in Guideline 24 herein below.
23.4 Further, the RFP or IFB may specify mandatory requirements and/or compliance requirements. Where these requirements have been specified in the RFP or IFB document and it is found that a Shortlisted Bidder or Bidder has not complied with the said requirements, that Shortlisted Bidder or Bidder shall be deemed to be non-compliant. Proposals or Bids submitted by any such Shortlisted Bidder or Bidder shall not be eligible for consideration and shall be rejected.
23.5 Proposals or Bids shall not be evaluated on any basis other than on the basis of the criteria stipulated in the RFP or IFB document (as applicable).