The promise of Best Value Procurement: Governance and (in)stability of specifications within an innovative biogas project

Best Value Procurement promises innovative solutions, high quality results at a fixed price and stable specifications. However, the evidence for such promises is anecdotal in nature and requires more in-depth investigation. This paper studies the (in)stability of specifications and governance in a sustain ability context with focus on an innovative biogas project. Results indicate that throughout the project service definitions were altered, with additional work for the contractor and additional costs for the buyer. We conclude that narrow application of Best Value Procurement principles is not helpful in coping with complexity. However, Best Value Procurement can work as a catalyst for change, galvanizing the different parties to rethink and reevaluate traditional tendering practices. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.