The Most Advantageous Tender is the compliant tender that achieves the best outcome under the buyer’s published award criteria, which may combine price, quality and wider factors.
Detailed explanation
MAT means the winning tender is determined by the published evaluation model rather than price alone. The buyer may consider technical quality, service outcomes, social value, sustainability, risk, programme and price in the proportions stated in the procurement documents.
For suppliers, the practical task is mathematical as well as narrative. Bid teams should model how raw quality scores and price differences convert into weighted totals. A small quality improvement may be worth more than an aggressive discount—or the opposite—depending on the formula.
The concept does not allow buyers to choose subjectively. The award must remain tied to the disclosed criteria and methodology. Suppliers should therefore build their strategy around the actual weighting, thresholds and scoring descriptors.
Why it matters
The lowest price does not automatically win when the methodology gives weight to quality or other criteria.
How buyers use it
The buyer uses the published criteria and formula to identify the tender offering the most advantageous overall result for the requirement.
What suppliers should do
- Model the scoring formula before approving bid strategy.
- Identify high-value quality criteria.
- Set realistic target scores and price scenarios.
- Protect mandatory thresholds and minimum quality scores.
- Reconcile value claims with deliverable cost.
Where it fits in the process
- 1Criteria and weightings published
- 2Compliant tenders scored
- 3Price and quality converted to weighted marks
- 4Totals compared
- 5Most advantageous tender identified
Frequently asked questions
Is MAT the same as the cheapest tender?
No. Price is assessed as stated, but quality and other published factors may materially affect the outcome.
What replaced MEAT?
The Procurement Act 2023 uses Most Advantageous Tender terminology for procurements under that regime.
Can social value form part of MAT?
Yes where it is included lawfully in the published award criteria and methodology.
How should SMEs set a pricing strategy?
Model several competitor-price and quality-score scenarios before approving the final offer.
Can a higher-priced bid win?
Yes where its weighted quality or wider advantages produce the highest overall result.
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