# The lowest bid and the late declaration “The lowest bid and the late declaration” is a procurement officer job simulation on FinderK. You work at Eastmoor District Council, an original fictional company, and complete 3 assignments in about 85 minutes. It is for anyone who wants to practice procurement officer work. No previous work experience is required. - Role: Procurement officer - Industry: Public sector procurement - Career: Legal and compliance (https://finderk.com/careers/legal-and-compliance) - Level: Mid-level - Time: About 85 minutes, 3 assignments - Access: Included in Plus - Created by: FinderK - Work tools: Mail, Office documents and spreadsheets, Chat, Tables - Page: https://finderk.com/simulations/the-lowest-bid-and-the-late-declaration - Last updated: 2026-10-10 ## Summary Four bids for a three year grounds contract. Score them exactly as published, deal with a price that looks too low and a panel member's late declaration, recommend an award within the rules, and handle the people who want to know the result early. ## Full brief You are the procurement officer leading the evaluation of a council grounds maintenance tender. You build the evaluation model from the published method, test the lowest price against the abnormally low rule, and then face two changes: a panel member declares a family link to a bidder, and the lowest bidder's explanation arrives. You recalculate, write the award recommendation with any approval it needs, and then answer a ward councillor and the rejected bidder without breaking the rules on what you may say. Automated checks confirm your scores and saved work; your judgement is reviewed against the standard for the role. ## What is Eastmoor District Council? Eastmoor District Council is a fictional district council that looks after 42 parks, 6 cemeteries and 90 kilometres of verges. It is retendering its grounds maintenance contract under published rules that a losing bidder can challenge in court. This case runs from Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 November 2026. Amounts are in pounds a year unless stated. ## Who do you play? You are the procurement officer in the Procurement team. You run tenders and evaluations and write award recommendations. You may ask bidders to explain prices and apply the published method. You may not change the method or a score, award a contract, or tell a bidder or councillor how bids compare before the award is announced. Olumide decides awards within budget. Above budget needs the cabinet member first. ## What will you do? 1. 1. Build the evaluation model (30 minutes) 2. 2. Recalculate and recommend (30 minutes) 3. 3. Answer the councillor and write to Verdant (25 minutes) ## Which skills will you practice? - Apply a published evaluation method exactly - Investigate an abnormally low bid against the specification - Handle a late conflict of interest and recalculate - Recommend an award within budget and approval rules - Handle councillors and bidders within procurement rules ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does “The lowest bid and the late declaration” take? About 85 minutes, across 3 assignments. When the time is up, you get 10 minutes to round up and submit. Pausing stops the clock. ### Is “The lowest bid and the late declaration” free? No. It is included in FinderK Plus. With a free account you can also do it without grading. ### Do I need procurement officer experience? No. No previous work experience is required. The listed level is mid-level. ### What do I get when I finish? You get feedback on each assignment you submit. Completing all required assignments earns a completion certificate. It records participation and is not professional accreditation. ### Is Eastmoor District Council a real company? No. Eastmoor District Council is an original fictional company made for practice. Its coworkers may make mistakes, so check their suggestions against the evidence.