Methodology
How OpenTenders turns public procurement data into screening leads, and where the method can fail.
A signal is not an allegation
A signal means a deterministic rule or AI analysis found a pattern worth researching. Severity prioritizes research; it is not a probability of wrongdoing. A score summarizes published signals and data confidence; it is not a legal or factual conclusion. No signal does not prove a clean record.
From source to publication
- Public notices and available documents are stored durably, parsed, normalized, and measured for coverage.
- For new tenders in every procurement category, AI first analyses notice data and reruns when usable document content changes. Deterministic rules and AI document analysis detect patterns and record the method and rule/model version.
- Public output uses translated signal labels and masks natural-person suppliers. Raw model explanations and personal evidence are not published.
- Signals are published automatically without human approval and receive stable public revisions. Updated analysis or corrections can withdraw or supersede a revision while preserving its history.
Indicator glossary
These are implemented indicator definitions. Public finding pages show the method, rule/model version, evidence state, publication date, and limitations that apply to that revision. Availability depends on data coverage and the supported analysis methods.
COMP.ALL_LOTS_ONE_WINNER- Single supplier won every lot of a multi-lot tender
COMP.HIGH_DISQUALIFICATION- Most bidders were disqualified, leaving one winner
COMP.REPEAT_WINNER- Winner captures an outsized share of this authority's awards
COMP.SHORT_DEADLINE- Unusually short bidding deadline
COMP.VAGUE_DISQUALIFICATION- Bidder disqualified with no specific clause, item, or amount cited
SPEC.BRAND_NO_EQUIVALENT- Brand required without an "or equivalent" clause
SPEC.EQUIVALENT_FORBIDDEN- Equivalent products explicitly forbidden
SPEC.GEOGRAPHIC_RESTRICTION- Physical proximity requirement restricts bidders
SPEC.NARROW_PARAMETERS- Specification parameters narrowly match one product
SPEC.ORIGINAL_REQUIRED- Only original manufacturer parts allowed
SPEC.PROPRIETARY_STANDARD- Proprietary standard required instead of an open one
SPEC.SINGLE_SOURCE- Specification insists on a single manufacturer or brand
QUAL.CERT_OVERKILL- Certification requirement exceeds the contract's scope
QUAL.EXPERIENCE_EXCESS- Required reference-contract value far exceeds this contract
QUAL.TURNOVER_EXCESS- Required turnover disproportionate to contract value
PROC.ESTIMATE_GAMING- Sole bid landed suspiciously close to the internal estimate
PROC.CONTRACT_MODIFICATION_RATE- Contract modified after award, at an authority with an unusually high modification rate
NET.REVOLVING_DOOR- Evaluation commission member linked to a bidder
NET.SHARED_OWNERSHIP_BIDDING- Bidders matched on an owner or director name
NET.SHELL_COMPANY_WINNER- Winner was registered shortly before winning
NET.SUPPLIER_VALUE_CONCENTRATION- One supplier dominates this authority's spending
PRICE.IDENTICAL_BIDS- Bidders quoted identical prices
Versions, quality, and limitations
Threshold or logic changes require a new analysis version and recalculation. Detection is automatic and can be affected by missing source data, extraction errors, and model errors. Publication does not certify accuracy. The method and version shown on a signal identify how that result was generated.