MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender)
As Gaeilge: An Tairiscint is Buntáistí ó Thaobh na hEacnamaíochta de
Also known as: Most Economically Advantageous Tender
Last reviewed April 2026
The evaluation method that weighs quality alongside price: required for most above-threshold Irish contracts.
The evaluation method that considers quality and other factors alongside price. Contracting authorities assign weightings to criteria (e.g., 60% quality, 40% price). Required for most above-threshold contracts in Ireland. Sub-criteria must be transparent and published in the tender documents.
In the Tenderwatch data
- Appears in 2 notices captured in the last 12 months on Tenderwatch (as at November 2026).
Sources and legal basis
Primary legislation and official guidance. Always confirm the current text on the source before relying on it.
Related terms
Award Criteria
The standards used to evaluate tenders and pick the winner, in Ireland either lowest price or MEAT.
Lowest Price Criterion
An award method where the contract goes to the cheapest compliant bid, allowed in Ireland only for fully specified, low-complexity requirements.
Value for Money
The Irish public-sector test for procurement decisions, balancing cost, quality and fitness for purpose over the contract's life.
Life-Cycle Costing
An evaluation method that scores bids on total cost of ownership over the asset's life, not just purchase price.
Threshold
The value above which specific procurement rules apply: €50k national, €140k/€216k EU services, €5.404M EU works (2026–2027 cycle, effective 1 January 2026).
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