---
title: "Consultant recruitment, EOI and RFP"
subject: "Engineering Professional Practice"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_8/engineering_professional_practice:consultant-recruitment-eoi-rfp"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/consultant-recruitment-eoi-rfp
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Consultant recruitment, EOI and RFP

Engineering Professional Practice · Chapter 4: Contract Management

- Asked in: 2074 Bhadra, 5 marks
- Video: [How to Create a Request for Proposal (RFP) and RFP Response](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNT0-R_0AJk) — Visme
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/consultant-recruitment-eoi-rfp
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/chapter-4

## Question

What are the methods of recruitment of consultant? Explain the purpose of EOI and RFP.

## Short answer

Consultants are selected by QCBS, QBS, fixed budget, least cost, CQS, single source, or individual selection. EOI invites consultants to express interest and submit qualifications to shortlist 3-7 firms. RFP asks shortlisted firms for technical and financial proposals to select the best consultant.

## Answer

A **consultant** is a person or firm hired by the employer for intellectual, technical or advisory services such as survey, design, supervision or feasibility studies. In Nepal the selection follows the Public Procurement Act 2063 and Regulations 2064.

#### Methods of selection of consultants
1. **Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS):** proposals are scored on technical quality and price using a fixed weight, most common method.
2. **Quality Based Selection (QBS):** for complex or special work; selected on technical score only, then price is negotiated.
3. **Fixed Budget Selection:** the budget is stated and the best technical proposal within the budget is selected.
4. **Least Cost Selection:** for routine work; the lowest price among those who pass the technical minimum.
5. **Consultant's Qualification Based Selection (CQS):** for small works; based on the consultant's experience and capacity.
6. **Single source selection:** only in special cases, such as continuity of earlier work.
7. **Individual consultant** selection for services where team work is not needed.

#### Expression of Interest (EOI)
A public notice inviting consultants to state their interest and submit qualifications (experience, staff, past works). The purpose is to **shortlist** about 3 to 7 qualified consultants. It saves cost and time because only capable firms are asked for detailed proposals.

#### Request for Proposal (RFP)
Issued to the shortlisted consultants with Terms of Reference, instructions, evaluation criteria and draft contract. The purpose is to obtain **technical and financial proposals**, evaluate them, and select the best consultant for negotiation and contract.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. In QCBS, proposals are scored on:
   A. Technical quality and price with a fixed weight
   B. Price only
   C. Technical only
   D. Experience only
   Answer: A. QCBS is the most common method. (Key point: QCBS)

2. The purpose of EOI is to:
   A. Select winner
   B. Shortlist about 3 to 7 qualified consultants
   C. Sign contract
   D. Fix price
   Answer: B. It saves cost and time. (Key point: EOI purpose)

3. RFP is issued to:
   A. All public
   B. Contractors
   C. Shortlisted consultants, to obtain technical and financial proposals
   D. Banks
   Answer: C. RFP includes ToR, instructions and evaluation criteria. (Key point: RFP)