Supplier selection protocols have advanced in leaps and bounds over the last few years. Ten years ago, a van load of printed bids might have been delivered, opened at an appointed time and then evaluated informally using subjective methods.
These days, the bid process might be carried out completely via electronic files and the evaluation distributed between a collection of individuals geographically spread across the country – or even across a continent. The verdicts of the evaluators will need to be objective, impartial and defensible – since every small part of the decision might need to stand scrutiny in court.
The implications of getting this wrong are substantial. Not only can the authority be challenged for assuring bidders equal treatment, but costs could be awarded to disgruntled bidders. In the worst case, following recent EU legislation, courts can declare a contract ‘ineffective’ (in other words, void) up to three months after the declaration of Preferred Bidder.
A solution to the hazard of improper process is to ensure supervision and oversight by an independent auditor. We have been involved in the supervision of some of the UK’s most sensitive and high profile procurement competitions. In addition, we can ensure a full audit trail is made permanently available so that every aspect of the evaluation is captured and stored for later scrutiny.
> What level of public-sector experience sits behind Stablebridge’s success?