What is MEAT criteria?
MEAT stands for Most Economically Advantageous Tender, an award basis that evaluates bids on a combination of quality and price rather than on price alone. It lets buyers weigh factors such as quality, technical merit and social value alongside cost. Under the Procurement Act 2023 the award basis is renamed "Most Advantageous Tender" (MAT).
MEAT criteria, explained
Most Economically Advantageous Tender, or MEAT, is a way of deciding which bid wins that looks beyond headline price. Instead of simply awarding to the cheapest offer, the buyer sets out award criteria, for example quality, technical merit, delivery, environmental factors and social value, alongside price, and gives each a weighting. Bids are scored against those criteria and the highest overall score wins.
MEAT reflects the principle that the best value for public money is not always the lowest price. A slightly more expensive bid that offers markedly better quality, lower risk or greater social benefit may represent better value overall. To be fair and transparent, the criteria and their relative weightings must be published in advance so that suppliers understand how their tenders will be assessed and can respond accordingly.
Under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, the terminology changed: the award basis is now the "Most Advantageous Tender" (MAT). The word "economically" was dropped to signal that buyers can give proper weight to wider quality and public benefit factors, reinforcing that award decisions are about overall value, not price alone. In practice, the underlying idea of weighing quality and price together carries over from MEAT to MAT.
Key things to know
Not lowest price alone
MEAT evaluates bids on a mix of quality and price, so the cheapest offer does not automatically win.
Weighted criteria
Buyers set award criteria such as quality, delivery, environment and social value, each with a weighting.
Published in advance
The criteria and weightings must be set out up front so suppliers know how bids will be assessed.
Best value focus
It reflects that best value for money can mean higher quality, lower risk or greater benefit, not just low cost.
Now "Most Advantageous Tender"
Under the Procurement Act 2023 the award basis is renamed MAT, dropping the word "economically".
MAT keeps the same idea
The change signals proper weight for quality and public benefit, but the quality-and-price approach carries over.
Explore: What is social value in procurement?, What is an ITT?, What is a tender?, Tender evaluation software.
How eSourcingData helps
eSourcingData makes MEAT and MAT evaluations structured, consistent and fully recorded.
Weighted scoring
Build your quality and price criteria with weightings and score bids consistently across evaluators.
Transparent decisions
Capture scores and rationale so your award is defensible and clear to bidders.
Social value built in
Include social value and wider benefit criteria as part of your MAT evaluation.
PA23-aligned
Reflect the Most Advantageous Tender basis rather than legacy language.
FAQs
What is MEAT criteria?
MEAT stands for Most Economically Advantageous Tender, an award basis that evaluates bids on a combination of quality and price rather than price alone, using published, weighted criteria. Under the Procurement Act 2023 the equivalent basis is the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).
Does MEAT mean the cheapest bid wins?
No. MEAT weighs quality and price together, so a slightly more expensive bid that offers better quality, lower risk or greater social value can win if it scores highest overall.
What is the difference between MEAT and MAT?
MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) was the term under the previous regime. Under the Procurement Act 2023 the award basis is renamed Most Advantageous Tender (MAT), dropping "economically" to emphasise proper weight for quality and public benefit, while keeping the quality-and-price approach.
What factors can be included in MEAT criteria?
Buyers commonly include quality, technical merit, delivery, environmental factors and social value alongside price, each with a weighting set and published in advance.
Do the award criteria have to be published?
Yes. To be fair and transparent, the award criteria and their weightings must be set out in advance so suppliers understand how their tenders will be evaluated.
Evaluate on quality and price with confidence
See how eSourcingData helps UK buyers run MEAT and MAT evaluations under PA23. Book a demo or request a pilot.