Pre-market engagements are an important part of the procurement process for enabling innovation and to allow bidders access to influence the solution. Buyers need to provide the opportunity to listen to bidders and understand any barriers to the procurement to get the best result.
Buyers will benefit from engagement opportunities to understand potential cost savings beyond the should cost assessment and determine what good looks like in what they are buying.
It is recognised that pre-market engagements can be limited with companies not wanting to share their position or IP in a room full of competitors. The Procurement Act is designed to address this risk with a more flexible approach.
All engagement sessions should provide feedback to the bidders – summarising the engagement in writing and be provided alongside the ITT so that those who could not attend are not left behind.
Pre-market engagements should also be proportionate to the procurement.