It is difficult to prepare a comprehensive bid package when the criteria for judging and weighting the bids is ambiguous. That is, the lowest and highest bids probably would lose, and the winning bidders would have a good combination of price and service. Of the winning bidders, a weighted average would be chosen and result in a final price. The final price may be higher or lower than the winning bid submitted by a particular supplier. It is not clear how this regime will foster competition.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some of the suppliers in Polk County operate from their homes.
They offer quality services to many satisfied beneficiaries. The criteria for judging bids should be outlined as clearly as possible. Information Requirements HCFA is proposing to require a number of sensitive financial documents from all bidders. The fact is that a large number of bidders will not be winners. The Office of Advocacy suggests tiering the information requests.