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Consulting Selection

Plain-language definitions of every Consulting Selection term that shows up in government tender work.


Consulting SelectionBAFO

Best and Final Offer (BAFO)

A final sealed bid submission requested from shortlisted suppliers after initial proposals have been evaluated, allowing clients to obtain improved pricing or technical terms before contract award.

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Consulting Selection

Combined Technical-Financial Score

The weighted aggregate of a consulting firm's technical and financial scores under QCBS, calculated after both envelopes are opened and used to rank firms and select the winner.

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Consulting Selection

Contract Negotiations

The bilateral process between a client and the highest-ranked consulting firm to finalise the scope, deliverables, staffing, and fee before signing, conducted after technical and financial evaluation is complete.

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Consulting Selection

Financial Proposal

The sealed price component of a consulting bid that states a firm's total fee and cost breakdown, opened only after technical proposals are scored and only for firms that pass the minimum technical threshold.

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Consulting Selection

Framework Contract (Consulting)

A pre-competed agreement that places one or more consulting firms on an approved roster for a defined category of services, allowing the buyer to assign specific tasks by call-off without re-running a full competitive selection each time.

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Consulting Selection

Framework Contract (Consulting)

A standing agreement between a client and one or more consulting firms that pre-agrees rates, terms, and conditions, enabling the client to call off individual assignments quickly without running a full competition each time.

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Consulting Selection

Individual Consultant Selection

A procurement method used by development banks and UN agencies to engage a single expert directly on the basis of qualifications and CV, suited to assignments that do not require a full firm.

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Consulting Selection

Long List

The full set of consulting firms that respond to an expression of interest and are assessed before the client narrows the field to a shortlist eligible to receive the Request for Proposals.

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Consulting Selection

Lump Sum Contract (Consulting)

A consulting contract type where the firm is paid a fixed total fee for delivering defined outputs or a completed scope of work, regardless of the actual staff hours expended.

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Consulting Selection

Minimum Qualifying Score

The minimum technical score a consulting firm must achieve in the technical evaluation stage to have its financial proposal opened and to remain in contention for contract award.

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Consulting Selection

Retainer Contract

A consulting arrangement that pays a fixed periodic fee to keep a specialist available for advisory work on demand, commonly used by development banks and international organisations for ongoing technical support.

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Consulting Selection

Shortlist

The reduced set of typically three to six consulting firms invited to submit full technical and financial proposals after an expression of interest screening, forming the competitive pool for a consulting assignment.

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Consulting SelectionSSS

Single-Source Selection (SSS)

A consulting selection method that awards a contract to one firm without competition, permitted only in narrow circumstances such as continuity of work, emergency response, or unique expertise.

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Consulting Selection

Success Fee Contract

A consulting arrangement in which part or all of the consultant's fee is contingent on achieving a defined outcome, such as closing a transaction, reaching financial close, or securing a rating.

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Consulting Selection

Technical Evaluation Criteria

The published scoring framework that evaluators use to assess consulting technical proposals, covering sub-criteria such as methodology, key expert qualifications, and firm experience, each with an assigned weight.

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Consulting Selection

Technical Proposal

The part of a consulting bid that presents a firm's methodology, work plan, team qualifications, and relevant experience, evaluated and scored before the financial proposal is opened in methods such as QCBS.

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Consulting Selection

Time-Based Contract (Consulting)

A consulting contract type where the firm is paid for the actual time its staff spend on the assignment at agreed daily or monthly rates, plus reimbursable expenses, making it suitable for assignments with uncertain scope.

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