The board doesn't have to be government officials but, maybe, private experts in the field of the bid. There would always be controversy and second guessing on any bidding system. Believing in the American system, perhaps we should set up a private business industry just to decide on bid proposals, rather than let inexperienced political aides decide like they often do today. Let us say we just get rid of the bidding system all together. Instead, when we want to procure something for a government body, why not have the procurement office simply survey private businesses in the respective area for companies they have had success with in the recent past for the same needs.
Private businesses succeed by purchasing intelligently.
They don't simply consider the lowest cost. Guidelines and rules could be instituted to insure the procurement office does not show favoritism or are susceptible to illegalities. Governments could then be able to use many more of the valuable suppliers who do not get involved with the bidding process because of its senselessness. It would also bring with it responsibility to procurement offices that have been increasingly able to pass blame to many other levels of the current bidding procedure so that, now, no one can be held responsible for multimillion dollar mistakes. And with increased responsibility comes increased creativity, ingenuity and hard work.