ABSTRACT
In both public sector and private sector procurement, sustainability principles can be incorporated into the whole procurement process: defining the need, evaluating options, design and specification, supplier selection, tender evaluation and post-contract management. The sustainable procurement legislation for the public sector makes a clear distinction between the selection and the award stages. In the selection stage, criteria can be set to relate to the contractor and include aspects such as economic and financial standing as well as professional and technical knowledge. In the award stage offers are examined and the best one chosen, based on which supplier offers the best price or the most economically advantageous tender. The European Union procurement directives require that the award criteria should be set out either in the contract notice or in the tender documents. A prequalification questionnaire is usually made available to potential suppliers.
