Point rated criteria transform procurement evaluation from a simple pass/fail exercise into a comparative scoring system. When PSPC or other federal buyers need to select the best overall proposal rather than just the lowest price, they assign points to different aspects of your bid—technical approach, methodology, experience—and rank all submissions accordingly.
How It Works
According to Supply Manual Section 4.35.5, rated criteria assess various elements of the technical bid so that the relative merits of each submission can distinguish one from another. The solicitation must tell you upfront exactly how many points each criterion is worth and how evaluators will assign those scores. No surprises allowed.
Here's a typical breakdown: you might see 100 points available for technical merit, with 40 points allocated to your proposed methodology, 30 to your team's qualifications, and 30 to past performance. Each criterion needs explicit scoring guidance—evaluators can't just wing it. Treasury Board Contracting Policy Section 10.7.27 requires that point-rated criteria clearly indicate how each score will be determined. The 2023 Procurement Practice Review from the Office of the Procurement Ombudsman reinforces this: point allocations must reflect the relative importance of what's being evaluated.
In practice, agencies often set minimum thresholds—say, 70% of available technical points. Drop below that and your bid gets tossed regardless of price. The Supply Manual treats these thresholds as mandatory criteria when they're stated upfront. Your financial proposal might be outstanding, but if you score 65 out of 100 technical points when 70 was required, you're out. The evaluation then typically feeds into either a highest combined rating method (points plus price) or a best overall proposal assessment where evaluators weigh your total scored submission against the competition.
Key Considerations
- Evaluation grids are mandatory upfront. You'll see the points and weightings published in the solicitation itself. This isn't optional—it's a transparency requirement that lets you decide where to focus your response efforts.
- Rated criteria must align with the Statement of Work. The Assessor Guidance for Bid Solicitation Preparation from PSPC makes this connection explicit. If it's not in the SOW, it shouldn't be scored.
- Score inflation is real. When everyone scores between 85-95 points, the rated criteria lose their discriminating power. Smart procurement teams build in evaluation anchors and calibration sessions to maintain meaningful differentiation between bids.
- Watch for supply arrangement nuances. Additional rated criteria may apply when competing for task authorizations under existing supply arrangements, even beyond what was evaluated for initial arrangement qualification.
Related Terms
Mandatory Criteria (pass/fail requirements), Basis of Selection (how winner is chosen), Technical Evaluation, Best Value
Sources
- Supply Manual - Section 4.35.5 Rated Criteria
- Procurement Practice Review of PSPC (Office of the Procurement Ombudsman, 2023)
- Assessor Guidance for Bid Solicitation Preparation - PSPC
The key takeaway? Study the evaluation grid as carefully as you study the SOW. Those point allocations tell you exactly what the buyer values most.