The "tendering" need not be entirely related to cost . The system with the old style original Academies where sponsors were taking over existing buildings and school communities was that they put forward an expression of interest to the LA setting out their suitability as sponsor and outlining proposals for admissions criteria ,curriculum ,SEN policy etc etc . The LA would then decide which sponsor they wanted to go with . Probably irrelevant in this case as Southwark would no doubt go with Harris because of its size and track record . I doubt there would be any consideration of accountabilty ,monopolies ,eggs and baskets .