Abstract
In Japan, the use of the technical proposal method has increased in recent years, and also the comprehensive evaluation
method which is known as QCBS in western countries has come into use for the central government procurement of
engineering consultancy services. However, some contracting authorities, mostly local governments, still often apply the
lowest price criterion for the award of such services. Furthermore, as for the comprehensive evaluation method, it is often
the case that consulting firms are forced to make contracts at unreasonably low prices.
In many countries of the world, there is a tendency toward increased recourse to QBS, and greater consideration for
quality during the selection stage of QCBS. Based on the comparative review of foreign procurement procedures, it is
concluded that QBS or the technical proposal method should be mainly used for selecting consulting firms while giving due
regard to fair procedures and so on. It is also indicated that when QCBS is used, more weight should be given to the quality
component.
