What is a justification report?

The famous justification report ... Yes, that document that seems that nobody wants to do, but without it does not move a pin in public procurement. Basically, it is the role in which you have to explain why the hell you need to buy or hire something and why, of all options, yours is the most sensible and that the budget will not melt. Without this report, forget that they approve the tender.

The roll is that this report has to make clear what need you are covering. No vagueness, huh? We must explain well how that good or service will help the entity to meet its objectives (you know, the typical strategic goals that everyone puts in the annual reports). And be careful, you also have to show that you looked at other options - it is not enough to say "this is what I want and point." We must justify why the alternative you propose is the one that best suits, based.

And, of course, the eternal cost analysis cannot be missing. Here not only tell the purchase price, but the whole package: how much it costs to operate, maintain and, when it does not work, get rid of that. If you do not show that your proposal has good value for money, they can throw it back without mercy.

It's not just because yes, eye. There are laws that force you to justify the purchase, such as the famous Directive 2014/24/EU in Europe (and surely each country has its own). In addition, not doing so is a recipe for the financial disaster, not to mention that you are fatal in an audit.

For those who are dedicated to competing in tenders, understanding this report is pure gold. It gives you clues of what really matters to the entity and helps you build a winning proposal. If you know how to read between the lines, you can even get ahead of what they are looking for.

Of course, the difference between a well -made report and one "meh" is abysmal. If you write it clearly and conviction, you open doors. But if you do it halfway, prepare for delays, uncomfortable questions and, in the worst case, legal messes. So, it is not the most fun document in the world, but better to do it well.