Question

Determine the steps in the sealed bidding process. Next, create an argument for or against the sealed bidding process as a method of lowering the government’s potential expense for a good or service. Justify your response with one example.

Answer 1

Sealed bidding is the process of contracting in which government is not allowed to hold any discussions before selecting the winning bid. It is associated with the employing competitive bids. All bids are opened publicly before awarding contract to particular party. The party with the most competitive bid is awarded the contract. The sealed bidding process involves the following steps:

• Preparation of invitations bids – Invitation is prepared stating all essential requirements.
• Publicizing the invitation for bids – the prepared invitation is publicized, i.e. efforts are made to reach invitation to public so that the – the prepared invitation is publicized, i.e. efforts are made to reach invitation to public so that interested parties can think of submitted their best proposals.
• Submission of bids – All interest contractors send their bids covered in the envelope. They offer their most competitive quotes to win the contract.
• Evaluation of bids - All bids are opened publicly and they are evaluated to select the most competitive bids.
• Awarding the contract – After evaluating all bids, the contractor with the most competitive bid is awarded the contract.

The government considers sealed bidding process as the cost effective process among the several contract bidding process. The main reason for it is that the government already has programs that are essential to undertake this process and thus its costs minimum to government to this process of government contracts. This method is very firm in nature and thus government is highly responsible to pay the price of the contract that was bid and accepted.