Free template

Bid/no-bid scorecard

Answer five knock-out questions, then score the tender from 0 to 10 on five weighted criteria — strategic fit (25%), capacity (20%), competitive position (20%), profitability (20%) and strategic value (15%). Bid at 60 or more, look closer at 40–59 and pass below 40.

How to use it

  1. Read the tender documents far enough to know the requirements, the award criteria and the contract terms.
  2. Answer the knock-out questions honestly. If one is a no that you cannot fix, stop here.
  3. Score each criterion from 0 to 10 with the people who would deliver the contract, not only sales.
  4. Write down why. The reasons are what you learn from when you win or lose.

The template

Knock-out questions first

Answer these before you score. One honest "no" ends the discussion.

  • Can we meet every absolute requirement in the specification?
  • Do we meet the qualification requirements — or can we meet them by relying on a partner or subcontractor?
  • Can we submit a complete bid before the deadline, including the time needed for internal approval?
  • Can we accept the contract terms without reservations that would get the bid rejected?
  • Are we free of conflicts of interest and grounds for exclusion?

Then score the five criteria

Strategic fit

Weight: 25%

How well does the tender match what we deliver, our experience and where we want to grow?

Low score (0–3)
Outside our core; we would be stretching.
High score (7–10)
Exactly what we do, with strong references.

Capacity and resources

Weight: 20%

Do we have the people, time and resources to write the bid and deliver the contract?

Low score (0–3)
Key people are busy; delivery would strain us.
High score (7–10)
The team is available and has done this before.

Competitive position

Weight: 20%

How strong are we compared with the likely competitors and the incumbent?

Low score (0–3)
A strong incumbent and nothing that sets us apart.
High score (7–10)
Clear strengths on the award criteria.

Profitability

Weight: 20%

What margin can we expect, given price pressure, scope risk and the contract terms?

Low score (0–3)
Price-driven with little room for margin.
High score (7–10)
Quality weighs heavily and the scope is clear.

Strategic value

Weight: 15%

What else does the contract give us — a new market, a reference customer, new capabilities?

Low score (0–3)
Nothing beyond the revenue.
High score (7–10)
Opens a new market or gives a valuable reference.
Weighted total: 50 / 100Look closer

60 or more: bid. 40–59: look closer before you commit. Below 40: pass.

Automate this in Tenderen

Tenderen has the same five criteria and weights on every tender's Go/No-Go page, saves the decision and your reasoning on the tender, and on Pro and Enterprise suggests a starting score from your company profile.

Start free

Want new templates by email? (optional)

Leave your email and we will send new templates and procurement tips now and then. The template above works without it.

No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Related

Last reviewed 4 October 2026