No Vote, I was having a cheap joke at your handle, no stick=no vote.
In terms of getting what you/we want, that work should have already been done with the writing of the technical specification. A technically compliant bid should therefore provide an technically acceptable solution.
In terms of value for money, competition is the best way but comparison against a 'should cost' model and scrutiny by the National Audit Office are other safeguards in place.
If guys are studying the bids already then they have some pretty good spies!