Preparing the published article.
Public Procurement Routes for Robotics Projects
Choosing the route before writing the specification.
Routes and when they fit
| Route | Fits when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Open tender | Large value, many suppliers | Compliant but slow |
| Invited tender | Few qualified suppliers | Faster shortlist |
| Negotiated procedure | Solution needs development | Requires justification |
| Request for quotation | Specification is clear | Fast, limited negotiation |
| Sole source | Only one viable supplier | Needs strong justification |
How the choice affects the project
Routes that allow dialogue suit robotics, because the technical solution often needs refining with the supplier. Routes based on a fixed specification work best for standard machines where the requirements can be written precisely.