3.2.4 Receive and Open Bids

Strict controls need to be established surrounding the receipt of bids for new NPP projects. Bids should be receipted in sealed packages at a secure location prior to a specific date and time. The opening of bids might be at a pre-defined opening ceremony and be witnessed by independent senior staff members. At this time it would be recorded which suppliers tendered, their submitted prices, whether the tender was received on time or late, any suppliers who did not tender (and reasons, if possible, for addition to the supplier database), and comments on obvious omissions or non-conformance with the procurement requirements. If a tender is incomplete, or doesn’t conform to instructions, it may be disqualified.

Where bidders were issued a copy of the BIS and did not submit a response, the reasons for the non-response should be investigated and recorded to inform future strategy development.