Public procurement – 13% to 14% of global GDP – can accomplish far more than just purchasing at the cheapest price. Traditional pass/fail specs plus price-only awards often miss true Value for Money (VfM), externalise social and environmental costs, and deter innovation, especially in developing markets where greener options are still maturing.
This guide shows how to unlock sustainability at the bid evaluation stage using modern bid evaluation methods (the European Union’s MEAT, World Bank’s Rated Criteria, Asian Development Bank’s Merit Points). The common playbook is: publish clear criteria and weights, use life-cycle costing (LCC) to value operating/maintenance/end-of-life (and, where feasible, externalities), apply scoring bands for qualitative factors, and convert awarded promises into contract KPIs. Weights and thresholds can tighten as markets mature, accelerating the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and socially equitable economy while safeguarding affordability and fairness.
Done well, the modern evaluation practices deliver better VfM, keep markets open to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and link awards to measurable outcomes – driving green, inclusive, and resilient development.
