Contracting authorities are expected to conduct robust evaluation processes that comply with the public procurement rules and best practice.
Evaluation is not only about the final award decision - it is about the design and execution of the whole process, leading up to that decision, ensuring the process is properly documented, and can stand up to internal and external scrutiny. Well-planned evaluation is more than bidders filling in an e-tendering form and should be structured to enable the industry to respond with innovative and transformational solutions, where these are the desired outcomes.
Contracting authorities should ensure they are making full use of the MEAT methodology and test evaluation criteria and weightings prior to procurement to ensure they produce the desired outcomes. For example, applying minimum quality criteria inappropriately can lead to the competition unintentionally being based on price.