Sentence Correction (SC) | Re: Unlike the previous year’s bidding, the contract was awarded

Dearmikemcgarry ,

I hope you are well

In Choice D & E, there is something interesting. Regardless of SV agreement in E and instead in D, I spotted another strange meaning.

D) Unlike the previous year’s bidding,the bidding for the contract this yearwas awarded not simply to the firm offering to complete the work on time for the least cost, instead

E) Unlike