3.5.4  Managing the Bid Process

The central step of procuring PPP projects is generally managing the bid process. This may follow pre-qualification to select the participating bidders (although not always, as described in Section3.5.1: Deciding the Procurement Strategy). The bid process ends with the selection of a preferred bidder, with whom the implementing then works to execute the contract and reach financial close.

The particular steps in managing the bid process will vary, depending on the chosen bid process and basis for award, as described in Section 3.5.1: Deciding the Procurement Strategy under 'Bid process'. This section describes and provides guidance on the following elements of managing the bid process:

•  Preparing and issuing Request for Proposal (RFP) documents

•  Interacting with bidders during the bidding period

•  Receiving bids

•  Evaluating bids to select the preferred bidder

•  Dealing with problems such as receiving only one bid, or no fully compliant bids

•  Finalizing the contract with the preferred bidder.

Farquharson et al [#95, pages 121-124] provides an overview of the bid process, and highlights some of the important points for implementing agencies to consider at this stage.