When submitting a bid for a contract, it’s easy to focus solely on writing a compelling response, pricing competitively, and ticking all the compliance boxes. But without understanding the tender evaluation criteria, even the strongest bids can miss the mark.
In this blog, we’ll break down what tender evaluation criteria are, why they matter, how to interpret them, and most importantly—how to tailor your bid response for maximum success.
Tender evaluation criteria are the rules and measures that buyers (such as government departments, councils, or private companies) use to assess bids. These criteria are set out in the tender documentation and explain how each part of your bid will be scored.
They provide a transparent framework to ensure every bidder is evaluated fairly, and that the winning bid delivers the best value for money—not just the lowest price.
Typically, evaluation criteria fall into two main categories:
These are often broken down further into weighted sub-criteria. For example:
The percentage weighting tells you how important each criterion is in the overall evaluation.
Understanding evaluation criteria is not just about knowing how your bid will be scored—it’s about shaping your entire bid strategy.
Here’s why they matter:
Failing to align with the evaluation framework can result in a low score—even if your service is a perfect fit.
Before you begin writing your bid, spend time reviewing the tender documents to understand the scoring approach. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
Look for a section titled “Award Criteria” or “Evaluation Methodology” in the tender pack. This will outline:
Highlight the percentage weighting for each criterion. This helps you identify what the buyer values most.
Buyers usually score each section on a scale—often 0 to 5 or 0 to 10. The tender will explain what each score level means. For example:
You should aim to hit the highest score by matching your response to the buyer’s definition of “excellent.”
Sometimes, buyers provide detailed guidance on what they want to see in each section. Pay close attention—this is gold dust for shaping your responses.
Now that you understand the criteria, here’s how to align your bid for maximum success:
Use the same headings and order as the evaluation criteria. This makes it easy for evaluators to locate your answers and score them accurately.
Echo the terminology used in the tender documents. If they mention “value for money,” “collaborative working,” or “evidence of success,” use these phrases in context.
Don’t just say you’re great—prove it. Use case studies, statistics, testimonials, and real-world examples to back up your claims.
Many criteria include multiple elements. Break these down and address each one individually. If the question asks for approach, methodology, and risk mitigation—cover all three clearly.
Avoid copying and pasting from previous bids without adapting the content. Tailor your answers to the specific requirements and priorities of the buyer.
Even experienced bidders can fall into these traps:
Avoiding these errors can significantly improve your evaluation scores.
Once all bids are scored against the evaluation criteria, the buyer usually:
Understanding how you were scored can be invaluable for future bids, so always request debrief feedback where available.
Tender evaluation criteria aren’t just bureaucratic checklists—they’re your roadmap to success. By interpreting them correctly and using them to shape your responses, you stand a much stronger chance of scoring highly and winning the contract.
Whether you’re a small business new to bidding or a seasoned bidder looking to improve win rates, mastering tender evaluation criteria is an essential step toward writing winning bids.
Need help navigating evaluation criteria or writing compelling responses? At Ask a Bid Writer, we offer expert bid writing and review services tailored to your needs.
Let’s boost your bid success—get in touch today.
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