Step 1: compliance
The buyer first checks that the bid is complete and compliant: documents present, signatures, bid validity, specifications met. A non-compliant bid is usually not evaluated further.
Step 2: the evaluation method
For goods and works, the most common method selects the compliant bid with the lowest evaluated price. For consulting services, quality- and cost-based selection first scores the technical proposal, then combines it with price (for example 70% technical and 30% price, or 80/20). The exact method and weighting are in the documents.
Step 3: the technical score
Points are spread across published criteria: company experience, methodology, key experts' qualifications. A minimum technical score is often required before the financial offer is opened.
How to use this
Build your technical offer in the order of the criteria, with headings that reuse their wording. For each key expert, show clearly the experience required: years, similar assignments, countries.
Today, Humanitarian Tenders lists 1,102 open tenders, including 401 invitations to bid (ITB), 313 expressions of interest (EOI), 49 requests for quotation (RFQ) and 43 requests for proposals (RFP).
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest bid always win?
No. For goods and works it is often the lowest compliant bid. For consultancy, technical quality usually weighs more than price.
Can I find out my score after the award?
Many buyers give feedback to unsuccessful bidders on written request. The terms are in the documents or the result letter.
These guides describe the most common practices. Each buyer has its own rules: the rules in the tender documents always prevail.