Breaking with convention, HOBO is a radically new system because:

• It allows bidders to understand how their bids are scored – this is a very transparent system which rewards merit and fitness-for-purpose
• In one sense bidders are able, at least in part, to score their own bids
• The weighting allows any business or individual already in possession of a product or service that is an exact or good match with the specification to weight their bid accordingly. This USP can attract 50% of the bid score where the match is 100%
• Bidders should realise that are expected to rapidly demonstrate that they do indeed have any suitable product or service. Depositing proof of such a product or service at this stage attracts 10%. But failure to do so convincingly, or to substantiate claims after the bid, will mean automatic exclusion from the process
• The weighting automatically credits economic bids which offer value-for-money, with the program comparing each bid with the AM (Arithmetic Mean, or average value of all bids) and then crediting the bid with up to 25%
• Completing the forms adequately, a process which is obviously necessary but does not make any worthwhile distinction between bidders and what they have to offer, attracts a further 15% (i.e. 3 x 5%)
• The winners are likely to be in possession already of the requisite product or service, or something very close to it, to have already worked off developmental costs, and to be in a position to supply the same at a price which is significantly more economic than a rival who would have to start from scratch if they won the bid. This all encourages rapid delivery, to spec, and at a price that represents good value

NB Bidders must be prepared, within 14 days of the deadline for bids, to demonstrate that they do indeed have a suitable product and / or service if they have declared this to be the case within their bid. Failure to demonstrate a match or near-match convincingly will mean automatic exclusion from the process and might impact on future tenders.