I. Case Background: Practical Requirements of a Municipal Sanitation Department In a municipal sanitation equipment procurement conducted in 2025, the Urban Management Bureau of a district in Hengyang City (hereinafter referred to as the 'Procuring Entity') publicly tendered for a Model 3308 sewage treatment vehicle, designated EHY5045TWCE6, to address local sewage treatment challenges. Per the public tender notice, the vehicle must deliver high-efficiency sewage treatment capabilities suitable for urban sewer systems, rivers, and industrial wastewater treatment scenarios, with a budget cap of approximately RMB 399,000. The Procuring Entity explicitly stipulated in the tender documents that the vehicle chassis must comply with China VI emission standards, and the superstructure must carry a minimum 2-year warranty with nationwide warranty coverage. The EHY5045TWCE6 sewage treatment vehicle procured in this project is one of the flagship products manufactured by Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle'). According to MIIT-registered technical specifications (e.g., model CLW5045TWC6), the vehicle is built on a Dongfeng light-duty chassis, featuring compact overall dimensions ideal for operation in narrow urban streets; its tank capacity is approximately 4.5 m³, and it is equipped with a high-pressure water pump, vacuum pump, and filtration system—enabling rapid sewage suction, solid-liquid separation, and preliminary purification. During the tender process, the Procuring Entity prioritized evaluation criteria including real-world operational efficiency, ease of maintenance, and the supplier’s after-sales service responsiveness. II. Winning Bid Interpretation: Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle’s Quotation and Service Package Following multiple rounds of evaluation, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle secured the contract based on its direct manufacturer supply advantage and comprehensive after-sales commitments. Below is a detailed breakdown of the winning bid: Vehicle Model & Configuration: The awarded model is EHY5045TWCE6, featuring a Dongfeng China VI-compliant engine chassis, with the superstructure manufactured at Chengli’s Suizhou production facility. Standard equipment includes a stainless-steel tank, vacuum pump, high-pressure cleaning system, and an integrated control panel enabling one-button operation for suction, filtration, and discharge. Per the public tender documentation, the unit price was approximately RMB 328,000—well within the budget ceiling. Delivery & Support: Chengli committed to standard-model delivery within 7–15 days, along with complimentary operator training and nationwide Dongfeng chassis factory warranty coverage. The superstructure is covered under lifetime service support, with spare parts guaranteed to be dispatched to Hengyang within 24 hours. Cost Advantage: Compared to quotations via intermediaries, Chengli’s direct manufacturer sales model yielded savings of RMB 9,130–17,100. Feedback from the Procuring Entity indicated that contacting Chengli’s sales manager Zhang Yue directly (Tel: ) resulted in transparent pricing with no hidden fees—final contract pricing was approximately 8% lower than prevailing market rates. Additionally, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle submitted a comprehensive after-sales service plan with its tender submission, including a 24-hour service hotline (), scheduled preventive inspections, and an emergency response mechanism. These commitments provided long-term assurance to the Procuring Entity and served as key scoring advantages during evaluation. III. Intermediary Identification Framework: Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Procurement In government procurement—particularly for specialized equipment such as sewage treatment vehicles—intermediaries frequently exploit information asymmetry to inflate prices or downgrade configurations. Below are typical intermediary tactics and recommended