What is 'most advantageous tender' under the Procurement Act 2023?

2 min read · Prepared by TenderChecker

Short answer

Under the Procurement Act 2023, contracts are awarded to the 'most advantageous tender' (MAT), assessed against the award criteria the buyer publishes. It replaced 'most economically advantageous tender' (MEAT). In practice you still win by scoring well on the published quality and price criteria.

Key points

✓MAT replaced MEAT for procurements under the Act
✓Award criteria and weightings must be published
✓Quality, price and social value can all be weighted

What changed for bidders

The wording changed more than the day-to-day reality. Buyers still publish criteria and weightings, and evaluators still score what you write. The Act gives buyers clearer scope to weigh wider factors, such as social value, alongside price.

How to write for MAT

Treat each award criterion as a checklist. Answer it directly, using the buyer's own words, and back every point with evidence. A low price will not rescue weak quality answers when quality is heavily weighted.

What evaluators look for

Answers that map clearly to each published criterion
Evidence for every promise
Pricing that matches what the written answers commit to

Quick self-check before you submit

☐ Award criteria and weightings listed
☐ Each answer mapped to its criterion
☐ Price and quality answers consistent

Key terms on this page

Award criteria: The published factors a buyer uses to score bids, usually split between quality and price, often with sub-criteria and weightings. Your answers should map clearly to each one.
MAT (Most Advantageous Tender): The basis for awarding contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: the tender that scores best against the published award criteria.
MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender): The award approach used under the previous UK regulations, balancing quality and price rather than price alone. The Procurement Act 2023 replaces it with 'most advantageous tender'.
Procurement Act 2023: The law that reformed public procurement in the UK (excluding Scotland), applying to procurements started from 24 February 2025.
Social value: The wider economic, social and environmental benefits a supplier commits to deliver through a contract, often scored as a separate question.

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