The scoring methodology, weightings and contract award criteria must be clearly defined in the procurement documents to ensure transparency of the process and a common understanding by all bidders of how tender responses will be evaluated and scored.
Where a service involves the use of chemicals it is likely to be appropriate to ask tenderers how they will eliminate harmful emissions to the environment in the delivery of the contract, for example in an off-site laundry. However, if the service will be provided from the supplier’s premises both the level of activity involved and the proportion of your contract to their overall activity will need to be considered in determining the legitimacy of requirements, for example with a procurement of occasional specialist restoration work emissions are unlikely to be proportionate or relevant.
Weightings must balance the quality, cost and outcomes required. The allocation of weightings should be determined on a case-by-case basis to ensure they are relevant and proportionate to the contract in question.
When setting weightings the buyer should consider the relative impact of hazardous materials, or the emissions that arise from their use in the contract, and the opportunity to minimise the use of hazardous materials.
