What is a
scored requirement
Also known as: should-requirement, desirable requirement
A scored requirement is a requirement in a requirements specification that is not mandatory, but is evaluated and awarded points during the assessment of bids. Unlike mandatory requirements (pass/fail criteria) where non-compliance leads to rejection, scored requirements allow tenderers to differentiate themselves by demonstrating varying degrees of compliance.
How do scored requirements work?
When a contracting authority prepares a requirements specification, the requirements are typically divided into two main categories:
- Mandatory requirements (pass/fail): Minimum requirements that must be met. Bids that do not meet these are rejected. Example: the supplier must hold a valid HSE self-declaration.
- Scored requirements (evaluation criteria): Desirable requirements that are evaluated and awarded points. Suppliers who meet these to a greater extent score higher. Example: that the solution integrates with a specific system.
Once scored requirements are defined, they are grouped under the award criteria. Each award criterion may contain several scored requirements, and the weighting between the criteria determines how much each scored requirement counts in the overall evaluation.
Why is the distinction important?
Finding the right balance between mandatory and scored requirements is crucial for a successful procurement:
- Too many mandatory requirements can unnecessarily restrict competition, as fewer suppliers are able to meet all pass/fail criteria
- Too many scored requirements can make the evaluation process unmanageable and difficult to conduct objectively
- Good scored requirements are measurable, relevant to the need, and formulated so that suppliers can differentiate themselves
Tools like Cobrief can help suppliers identify which scored requirements carry the most weight in a competition, so that their bid can be targeted towards what the contracting authority values most.
A well-designed set of scored requirements gives the contracting authority flexibility to select the most economically advantageous tender, while giving suppliers the opportunity to showcase their strengths. The more clearly scored requirements are formulated, the easier it becomes to write a targeted bid and to carry out a fair evaluation.