Best Value Test
The Procurement Act 2023 replacement for MEAT; the statutory framing for evaluating which bid offers best overall value.
Definition
The Best Value Test is the Procurement Act 2023 replacement for the historical MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) formulation. The Act articulates statutory procurement objectives (value for money, public benefit, transparency, integrity) and the Best Value Test is the framing for how award decisions integrate those objectives. In practical evaluation methodology the change from MEAT to Best Value Test is largely cosmetic: weighted quality and price criteria, published in advance, scored against descriptors continues as the dominant mechanism.
How it works in practice
The substantive change introduced by the Best Value Test is the explicit articulation of statutory objectives. Under PCR 2015 / MEAT, award criteria were judged against the bid quality and price weighting set by the buyer; the wider objectives were assumed rather than explicit. Under PA 2023 Best Value Test the buyer must articulate how the award criteria support the statutory procurement objectives. This affects bid design: bidders should connect their bid evidence to the objectives explicitly (this commitment delivers public benefit through X; this approach supports transparency through Y; this team delivers value for money through Z). The supplier conduct record reinforces the Best Value Test: past delivery performance is now visible and feeds the procurement decision through the wider statutory framework, not just through individual contract scoring. The Best Value Test does not change the mechanics of scoring (weighted criteria, descriptors, point allocation); it changes the rationale and accountability framework around the scoring. For suppliers the practical implication is that bid responses should explicitly link claims to the statutory objectives rather than relying on the buyer to make those connections; well-drafted bids do this naturally as part of strong methodology and social value sections.
Common questions
Is the Best Value Test materially different from MEAT?
In evaluation mechanics, no. Weighted quality and price criteria, published in advance, scored against descriptors continues as the dominant mechanism. The substantive change is the explicit articulation of statutory procurement objectives that the award criteria must support. Bid design should connect claims to those objectives explicitly.
What are the PA 2023 procurement objectives?
Value for money, public benefit, transparency, and integrity. Each is articulated in the Act with statutory definitions. Contracting authorities must conduct procurement consistent with these objectives; the Best Value Test is the framework for how award decisions integrate them.
Should I rewrite my bid responses for the Best Value Test?
Strong bid responses already address the objectives implicitly through quality, social value, and transparency commitments. The new framing is a useful checklist: review your bid against the four objectives and ensure your evidence is connected explicitly to each where relevant. Most existing strong responses need light editing rather than rewriting.