Three quotes were obtained. The spec was written by the incumbent.

Competitive tendering tests price against a specification. It says nothing about who wrote the specification, and that is usually where the outcome was decided.

By Steve 5 min read
Abstract bridge artwork for Three quotes were obtained. The spec was written by the incumbent.

The procurement policy says three quotes above a certain value. Three quotes arrive. The incumbent wins by a margin small enough to look like a competitive market and comfortable enough to look like a considered decision. The file is complete, the governance box is ticked, and the unit price has moved by roughly inflation for four years running. Nobody in this sequence has done anything wrong. The failure is upstream of the bids. Whoever wrote the specification largely determined the winner before the invitations went out, and in most mid-sized…

Keep reading for free

Create an account to read the rest.

The whole library is free. No card, no subscription, no trial that quietly ends. An account simply lets us know who we are writing for, and opens every article from here on.

  • Every article, in full, at no cost
  • New articles published every weekday
  • Takes about twenty seconds
Create a free account I already have one

Free means free. We will not charge you for the library, and you can read as much of it as you like.

Important: General information only. Rialto Bridge articles describe patterns and considerations that may apply to a business; they are not financial, legal, tax or accounting advice, and they take no account of your particular circumstances. Consider your own situation and seek advice from a qualified professional before acting.

More on Operations

Scroll to Top