For governments undertaking Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), mastering Bid Evaluation and Selection in PPP Tenders is an absolutely critical phase, directly determining whether the public sector secures the most competitive, value-for-money, and technically sound solution for its infrastructure and service needs. This complex process requires rigorous, transparent, and objective assessment of intricate technical, financial, and legal proposals submitted by bidders, ensuring that the selected private partner is truly capable of delivering the project's long-term objectives while optimizing risk transfer and fiscal outcomes. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to equip public sector officials, procurement specialists, financial analysts, and legal professionals with the advanced knowledge and practical skills required to conduct thorough, fair, and legally compliant bid evaluations, enabling them to confidently select the private partner that offers the optimal balance of innovation, efficiency, and public value. Without robust expertise in Bid Evaluation and Selection in PPP Tenders, public authorities risk selecting suboptimal proposals, facing legal challenges, and compromising the long-term success and integrity of their PPP programs, underscoring the vital need for specialized expertise in this critical domain.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Public Sector Procurement Officers and Specialists
• PPP Unit Professionals
• Government Officials serving on Bid Evaluation Committees
• Financial Analysts and Modellers involved in bid assessment
• Technical Experts involved in evaluating technical proposals
• Legal Professionals specializing in public procurement and contracts
• Project Managers overseeing PPP procurement
• Auditors and Oversight Body Personnel
• Consultants providing bid evaluation advisory services
• Private Sector Bid Managers (to understand evaluation criteria)

Objectives

• Understand the strategic importance of rigorous bid evaluation in PPP tenders.
• Learn about the principles of fairness, transparency, and objectivity in evaluation.
• Acquire skills in designing and applying robust evaluation methodologies for technical and financial bids.
• Comprehend techniques for critically assessing complex financial models submitted by bidders.
• Explore strategies for conducting Value for Money (VfM) analysis during bid evaluation.
• Understand the importance of risk allocation assessment in bidder proposals.
• Gain insights into managing bid clarifications and negotiations effectively.
• Develop a practical understanding of legal compliance and anti-corruption measures in evaluation.
• Master the decision-making process for bidder selection and award recommendation.
• Acquire skills in preparing comprehensive evaluation reports and justifications.
• Learn to apply international best practices and guidelines for bid evaluation.
• Comprehend techniques for handling bidder challenges and complaints during evaluation.
• Explore strategies for ensuring consistency and coherence in the evaluation process.
• Understand the importance of post-award contractual management linkages.
• Develop the ability to lead and participate effectively in PPP bid evaluation and selection.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to PPP Bid Evaluation and Selection

• Role and significance of bid evaluation in the PPP procurement cycle.
• Objectives of evaluation: identifying the best value for money, capable partner, optimal risk transfer.
• Principles of good evaluation: fairness, transparency, objectivity, consistency.
• Common challenges and pitfalls in PPP bid evaluation.
• Overview of international best practices and guidelines.

Module 2: Pre-Evaluation Planning and Preparation

• Establishing the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) and its roles/responsibilities.
• Developing a detailed evaluation plan and methodology.
• Training BEC members on evaluation criteria and procedures.
• Conflict of interest declarations and confidentiality agreements.
• Setting up secure data rooms and information management systems.

Module 3: Legal Framework and Compliance

• Adherence to national public procurement laws and PPP-specific legislation.
• Compliance with international anti-corruption conventions.
• Legal implications of evaluation criteria and scoring.
• Ensuring fairness and non-discrimination in the process.
• Documenting all evaluation steps for auditability.

Module 4: Technical Proposal Evaluation Methodology

• Designing detailed technical evaluation criteria based on the RFP's output specifications.
• Scoring methodologies for technical proposals (e.g., weighted scoring, pass/fail).
• Assessing design concepts, construction plans, and operational methodologies.
• Evaluating the bidder's proposed project team, experience, and track record.
• Role of technical advisors in the evaluation process.

Module 5: Financial Proposal Evaluation Methodology

• Designing detailed financial evaluation criteria.
• Methodologies for comparing financial bids (e.g., Net Present Cost, Levelized Cost).
• Critical analysis of bidders' financial models and key assumptions.
• Assessing proposed financing structures, bankability, and affordability.
• Value for Money (VfM) assessment against the Public Sector Comparator (PSC).

Module 6: Risk Allocation Assessment in Bids

• Evaluating how bidders have addressed and priced project risks.
• Assessing the robustness of proposed risk mitigation strategies.
• Analyzing the financial implications of risk allocation in the bids.
• Identifying any unacceptable risk retention by the public sector.
• Ensuring consistency with the RFP's desired risk allocation.

Module 7: Combined Technical and Financial Evaluation

• Methodologies for combining technical and financial scores (e.g., weighted average, quality-cost trade-off).
• Justification for weighting between technical and financial aspects.
• Ensuring the selected bidder offers the optimal balance of quality and cost.
• Addressing any inconsistencies between technical and financial proposals.
• Role of the BEC in integrated assessment.

Module 8: Bid Clarifications and Dialogue

• Process for seeking clarifications from bidders on their proposals.
• Rules for engaging in competitive dialogue or negotiations (if applicable).
• Maintaining fairness and equal treatment during clarifications/dialogue.
• Documenting all communications and their impact on evaluation.
• Avoiding "bid shopping" or unfair changes.

Module 9: Value for Money (VfM) Reconfirmation and Final Assessment

• Reconfirming the VfM assessment based on final, clarified bids.
• Qualitative assessment of non-quantifiable benefits and risks.
• Comprehensive assessment of the "best and final offer" (BAFO).
• Sensitivity analysis of the preferred bidder's proposal.
• Ensuring the project remains affordable and fiscally sustainable.

Module 10: Anti-Corruption and Integrity in Evaluation

• Identifying red flags for collusion, bribery, or undue influence.
• Implementing strict anti-corruption protocols during evaluation.
• Role of independent integrity monitors.
• Managing conflicts of interest within the BEC.
• Protecting the integrity of the procurement process.

Module 11: Bidder Selection and Award Recommendation

• Decision-making process for selecting the preferred bidder.
• Preparing the comprehensive Evaluation Report for approval.
• Justifying the selection based on evaluation criteria and VfM.
• Recommendations for contract award.
• Legal and administrative steps for formal award.

Module 12: Managing Bidder Challenges and Complaints

• Establishing a fair and transparent process for handling bidder complaints.
• Legal avenues for challenging procurement decisions (e.g., administrative review, courts).
• Lessons learned from procurement disputes and their resolution.
• Proactive measures to minimize challenges.
• Communication with unsuccessful bidders.

Module 13: Post-Award Linkages and Transition

• Ensuring a smooth transition from bid evaluation to contract negotiation/financial close.
• Handover of evaluation findings to the contract management team.
• Importance of consistency between the awarded bid and the final contract.
• Public disclosure of the award decision and key contract terms.
• Preparing for project implementation.

Module 14: International Best Practices in Bid Evaluation

• Review of bid evaluation guidelines from World Bank, EBRD, UNCITRAL, etc.
• Comparative analysis of bid evaluation methodologies in different countries.
• Lessons learned from major international PPP projects.
• Adapting global best practices to local contexts.
• Emerging trends in bid evaluation (e.g., digital tools, AI assistance).

Module 15: Case Studies and Practical Exercises in Bid Evaluation

• In-depth analysis of specific PPP bid evaluation scenarios (successes and failures).
• Discussion of complex technical and financial evaluation challenges.
• Role-playing exercises for Bid Evaluation Committee meetings.
• Workshop: Hands-on exercise in scoring and ranking hypothetical PPP bids.
• Developing a checklist for a robust and defensible evaluation report.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.