I imagine that evaluation is done at the time any bid is received. They could certainly look at whether it had past history with this bidder, how the potential bidder had done in other bids, and how they had done with other contractors. I have no idea what exact steps were taken in this case, but I imagine those steps would have been taken.
Louis Sebert on Question 725-18(2): New Generators For Yellowknife Power Plant
In the Legislative Assembly on March 9th, 2017. See this statement in context.
Question 725-18(2): New Generators For Yellowknife Power Plant
Oral Questions
March 8th, 2017
See context to find out what was said next.