What is required for a bidder to be considered 'responsive'?

For a bidder to be considered 'responsive,' it is essential that they submit all required documentation and forms as outlined in the bid specifications. This means that the bidder must provide everything that is needed for the proposal to be complete and in compliance with the stipulations set forth by the contracting unit. Responsiveness is primarily about meeting the administrative requirements and ensuring that the bid fully addresses all technical and procedural aspects required for evaluation.

Submitting all mandatory forms and documentation demonstrates the bidder's commitment to the process and ensures that their proposal can be properly evaluated against the criteria established in the bid. This step is critical because a bid that lacks necessary information or documents may be deemed non-responsive and could be automatically disqualified from consideration, regardless of the bid price or qualifications.

The other options, while they may contribute to the overall evaluation of a bidder, do not define responsiveness in the context of public procurement. Offering the lowest price, for instance, pertains to the competitiveness of the bid rather than compliance with submission requirements. Similarly, having past experience or not having existing contracts may be important for assessing qualifications or capability but does not impact whether the bid was submitted in a responsive manner.