UK Procurement Glossary
Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT)
The UK public sector evaluation principle that contracts are awarded on overall value (quality + price + wider benefits), not lowest price alone.
Definition
Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) is the principle UK public sector buyers use to award contracts — the winning bid is the one offering the best overall value, not necessarily the lowest price. MEAT scoring combines quality (technical merit, methodology, social value, sustainability) with price, weighted as set out in the ITT.
MEAT is the default UK award basis; pure lowest-price evaluation is rare and usually limited to commodity goods where quality differentiation is minimal. The Procurement Act 2023 retains MEAT (sometimes renamed "Most Advantageous Tender", MAT) as the core evaluation framework.
How this affects your bid
Don't bid lowest price. Bid the price you need to deliver well, and win on quality (technical merit, methodology, social value, evidence). Underbidding on price often loses on quality scoring and damages delivery if you do win.
Common questions about most economically advantageous tender (meat)
What does MAT mean?
Most Advantageous Tender — a renaming of MEAT in some Procurement Act 2023 guidance, with the same underlying principle.
Is MEAT mandatory?
For UK public sector above-threshold contracts, MEAT is the default. Buyers must publish the MEAT criteria and weightings in advance.
Related terms
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