- Features
- This procurement is being conducted under the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the PA23. The Utilities will undertake a multi-stage evaluation process comprising of a Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ), a Request for Proposal (RFP), Best and Final Offer (BAFO), and a Verification Period.
The PQQ and RFP will be submitted concurrently by the Supplier. Suppliers must submit both responses by the stated deadline. The Utilities will first evaluate PQQ responses. The Utilities reserves the right to exclude participants from further competition where failing to respond to mandatory requirements. Following evaluation, suppliers shall be ranked according to their aggregated PQQ score, and the highest-ranked suppliers as per the Briefing Pack, shall progress to RGP evaluation. The Utilities intends to evaluate the RFP responses of the highest-ranked suppliers, but reserve the right to increase or decrease this number.
RFP evaluation will comprise Commercial (55%), Quality and Technical (30%), and ESG (15%). Responses will be evaluated sequentially and suppliers may be excluded where minimum standards are not achieved, as per the Briefing Pack.
Following evaluation, the Utilities reserves the right to conduct a BAFO stage with any number of suppliers. During BAFO, suppliers may be invited to refine certain commercial and contractual aspects of their submissions, including Schedule of Rates, rebates, lead times, warranties, deviations, service levels and KPIs, and performance. Technical responses, Sustainability responses, PQQ submissions, and product offerings may not be materially amended unless specified by the Utilities.
Under the provisions of the Competitive Flexible Procedure, the Utilities reserves the right to refine aspects of the procurement, where permitting. The Utilities further reserve the right to undertake clarification discussions, and verification activities through the procurement process to ensure substantiation of written responses. Verification may include site visits, audits, supplier presentations, product inspections, review of certifications, and validation of tender commitments. Verification outcomes may result in confirmations, amendment of scores where evidence does not support submitted responses, exclusion from the process, or progression to award.
Following completion of evaluation, BAFO (if the Utilities exercises this right), and verification, suppliers will be ranked according to the published award criteria and framework agreements shall be awarded to the most advantageous tenders. The initial highest-ranked supplier at Framework Award, shall be designated the role of Principal Supply Partner, with remaining successful suppliers appointed as Secondary Framework Suppliers.