Best Value Procurement-Evaluating Qualitative Technical Criteria
Procuring a design-build firm typically uses Best Value: Total Cost to select a firm to design and construct a project. Best value allows Owners to evaluate not only price, but also technical aspects of a project. However, evaluating technical aspects of a proposal can be somewhat subjective due to the qualitative nature of the criteria, which as led to protests by firms that were not selected for a project. The article, “Legal Challenge to a Best-Value Procurement System” provides a method for evaluating technical criteria in a more objective manner to help reduce biases and human errors. Using this article, your textbook, and any additional information, experiences, or examples that you have, please address the following questions:
1. How do you think including qualitative technical criteria improves the value that an Owner will receive from a selected design-builder?
2. Does the concept of normalizing technical criteria scores seem like it would provide a more objective evaluation approach of design-build proposals? Why or why not?