What is LCS?
Least Cost Selection
LCS (Least Cost Selection) is a method where proposals that meet a minimum technical standard compete on price, and the lowest evaluated cost wins.
What is LCS?
Least Cost Selection is an evaluation method most often used for consultancy and other professional services. The buyer first checks each proposal against a minimum technical standard. Among the proposals that pass, the one with the lowest evaluated price is selected.
Some documents call it the Least Cost System. It is close to L1 evaluation, but it is mainly a consultancy term, and government consultancy procurement guidance describes it alongside QCBS as one of the selection methods buyers can use.
How it works
The tender states the technical criteria and the minimum score or standard a proposal must reach. Technical scores do not count once that standard is met.
- Technical proposals are opened and evaluated
- Proposals below the minimum technical standard are rejected
- Financial proposals of the qualified bidders are opened
- The lowest evaluated price is selected for award
LCS compared with QCBS
In QCBS, technical and financial scores are combined, so a stronger technical proposal can win even at a higher price. In LCS, a higher technical score gives no advantage once the minimum standard is cleared.
Buyers usually choose LCS for standard or routine assignments where quality differences between qualified firms matter less, and QCBS where the quality of the work is critical. The tender document will say which method applies.
Common questions
Common questions about LCS in government tenders.
LCS stands for Least Cost Selection, sometimes written as Least Cost System. It is a selection method mostly used for consultancy and professional services.
They work in a similar way, because the lowest price among qualified bids wins. LCS is the term usually used for consultancy selection, while L1 is used across goods, works and services.
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