Government contracting in Tampa is changing. Traditionally, agencies tended to go for the lowest price offer. Now, agencies prioritize the best overall value. This approach, called best value procurement, changes how businesses bid for contracts. It also changes the way they can challenge unfavorable decisions.
How best value affects bid protests
Under Florida law, a best-value product or service provides the state with the highest overall value based on price, quality, design and workmanship. Government procurers can also consider other factors such as management approach and environmental impact.
If you’re looking to challenge a contract award under this system, there are several things you must weigh:
- To get a second chance to understand why you didn’t win a bid, you can request a follow-up meeting with the procuring agency.
- If you disagree with the bid outcome, you might need to challenge how the agency judged your overall value.
- Since your company’s track record is under the spotlight, you must be prepared to defend your past performance.
Before pursuing a bid protest, consider discussing it with a business law attorney. They can help you determine whether it will benefit your business and show you how to strengthen your bid.
Strategies for success
The bidding process may be more complex, but it does let businesses show off more. You can take advantage of the changes in the process by:
- Telling your company’s full story in a proposal that showcases its unique strengths
- Asking for a detailed explanation after losing a bid to collect valuable intel for next time
- Working with people who know the ins and outs of the process
To succeed, businesses need to understand what agencies are looking for. By adapting to changes in the criteria and procurement process, you can improve your chances of winning contracts. The same goes for challenging unfair decisions. Are you ready to show what your company can truly offer?