When you're responding to a federal RFP, you'll encounter two types of evaluation criteria: mandatory requirements that you either meet or you don't, and rated requirements that determine who actually wins the contract. Rated requirements are point-scored criteria that separate the winning bid from everyone else who made it past the mandatory gate. The government uses these to measure which compliant bidder offers the best value.
How It Works
According to the Supply Manual Section 4.10.15h, every bid solicitation must include "mandatory and point-rated evaluation criteria" along with clear identification of the selection method. Here's the thing: mandatory criteria are pass/fail. You either have the ISO certification or you don't. You either have three years of experience or you don't. Rated requirements work differently—they're scored on a point scale, often with specific weighting that tells you exactly where evaluators will focus their attention.
In practice, PSPC and other departments typically assign points across technical capability, past performance, methodology, and sometimes price. You might see 70 points available for technical merit and 30 for financial proposal, or any variation the contracting authority determines offers the best selection framework. The assessor guidance for supply arrangements specifies that these criteria must align with the statement of work and any applicable evaluation grids. Most solicitations include a minimum threshold—say, 70 out of 100 technical points—that you must hit to stay in contention for award, even if your bid is otherwise compliant.
The selection method matters here. Some RFPs use highest combined rating of technical merit and price. Others establish a two-envelope system where only bidders above the technical threshold have their financial proposals opened. Treasury Board Policy requires that evaluation factors and criteria be disclosed in the solicitation, and the PWGSC Supply Manual mandates that debriefings include the overall ranking of all bidders for corporate contracts. That transparency means you can—and should—request detailed scoring breakdowns when you don't win.
Key Considerations
- Weight distribution tells you the real story. If past performance is worth 5 points but technical approach is worth 40, you know where to focus your proposal effort and page count.
- Minimum thresholds can eliminate you even if you have the lowest price. A technically non-responsive bid scoring 65 points when 70 is required won't proceed to financial evaluation.
- Rating scales vary by department and sometimes by solicitation. Some use 5-point scales, others use 10-point or percentage-based scoring. Read the evaluation criteria section carefully to understand what "exceeds requirements" actually means in that specific RFP.
- Unlike mandatory requirements where you can't cure deficiencies, point-rated sections sometimes allow evaluators discretion in scoring partial compliance—though you never want to rely on that discretion.
Related Terms
Evaluation Criteria, Mandatory Requirements, Technical Evaluation, Selection Methodology, Basis of Selection
Sources
- Supply Manual - Section 4.10.15h: Bid Solicitation Requirements
- Assessor Guidance for Supply Arrangement Requirements
- Office of the Procurement Ombudsman - Chapter 2: Supplier Debriefings
The difference between winning and losing often comes down to how well you address these scored criteria. Treat them like the competitive differentiators they are, not just another compliance checklist.