Quantity surveyors say lowest bid is not always best value
The South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession wants procurement rules for professional services changed. In its response to the 2026 medium-term budget policy statement, it asked for criteria that weigh competence, quality, delivery capacity and price together.
The council said it will engage the National Treasury on procurement reforms. It called for criteria that are objective, transparent and proportionate.
The council said weak professional resourcing can expose public projects to errors, incomplete documentation, delays, avoidable variations, disputes and higher operating costs. It said public institutions should scrutinise unusually low bids. It also wants providers to show how they will deliver the full scope of work.
The council gave an example of an offer to provide professional services on a million-rand investment for one rand. It also said higher fees should not automatically be seen as a sign of better quality.
Council president Arthur Quphe said: "Professional services cannot be procured in the same way as stationery."
Key facts
- Who
- Arthur Quphe (President of the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession…); South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (Body calling for procurement reforms); National Treasury (Government department the council will engage on procurement reforms)
- What
- In its response to the 2026 medium-term budget policy statement, the SACQSP called for objective, transparent and proportionate procurement criteria that assess competence, quality, delivery capacity and price together, and said it would engage the National Treasury on procurement reforms.
- When
- 21 October 2026
- Where
- South Africa
- Status
- Reported