PA23 UK2 - Preliminary market engagement notice San Jose, Costa Rica – British Embassy Office Fit-out Works

This preliminary market engagement notice provides clear scope and basic information but raises significant concerns regarding fairness due to a highly restrictive security clearance requirement for the Project Manager and the complete absence of evaluation criteria for the subsequent tender.

As a preliminary market engagement (PME) notice, the lack of a formal procedure type is acceptable, and the PME submission deadline is reasonable. The CPV code is appropriate, and there are no reported disputes or suspensions. Disclosure is adequate for this stage.

The description of the scope of works and the AI-extracted requirements are clear and understandable. However, the complete absence of evaluation criteria for the future main tender significantly impacts the overall clarity of the procurement process for potential bidders.

Most basic information, including title, reference, organization, estimated value, duration, and key requirements, is present. However, the critical absence of evaluation criteria for the main tender and an inconsistent NUTS code reduce the overall completeness. One document also failed to download.

The requirement for the Contractor's Project Manager to possess UK Security Clearance (SC) is a highly restrictive barrier for a project in Costa Rica, strongly suggesting potential tailoring towards UK-based firms or those with existing UK government ties, thereby limiting competition. The absence of evaluation criteria further undermines transparency and objectivity for the future tender.

The PME utilizes an online questionnaire, which is practical for initial engagement. However, the SC clearance requirement for the Project Manager creates a significant practical hurdle for a broad range of international or local bidders. The automated check also flags a lack of explicit e-submission for the main tender, which is a practical drawback.

Most key fields are populated, and dates are logical. However, the NUTS code (UKI32 - Inner London - West) is inconsistent with the project's physical location in San Jose, Costa Rica. There is also a minor discrepancy between the estimated value in EUR and the approximate value in GBP.

The notice does not include any explicit criteria or mentions related to green procurement, social aspects, or innovation, which are increasingly important considerations in modern public procurement.