What is an Evaluation Method?
The evaluation method (German: Wertungsmethode) is the systematic procedure used to evaluate submitted bids in a procurement process and rank them. It ensures that the contract is awarded to the most economically advantageous tender — transparently, traceably, and in compliance with equal treatment principles.
Legal Framework
- § 127 GWB: Award and award criteria
- § 58 VgV: Award to the most economically advantageous tender
- § 43 UVgO: Bid evaluation below EU thresholds
- § 16d VOB/A: Review and evaluation for construction procurements
The Four Evaluation Stages
- Formal review: Timely submission, completeness, proper signature, no modifications
- Suitability assessment: Expertise, capability, reliability, no exclusion grounds
- Price appropriateness: Check for abnormally low or unreasonably high bids
- Most economically advantageous tender: Apply award criteria and evaluation method
Common Evaluation Methods
1. Simple benchmark method (UfAB): Score = Performance points / Price. Highest score wins.
2. Extended benchmark method: Similar but with a tolerance range around the best score.
3. Weighted scoring model:
| Criterion | Weight | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 60% | 0-10 points (linear) |
| Quality concept | 20% | 0-10 points |
| Personnel | 15% | 0-10 points |
| Sustainability | 5% | 0-10 points |
Total = Sum of (partial score x weight)
4. Median method (construction): Median of all bid prices serves as reference; bids evaluated by deviation.
5. Interpolation method (price evaluation): Linear interpolation between the lowest and a reference price.
Evaluating Qualitative Criteria
Qualitative criteria are often scored using a grade system: very good (10 points), good (8), satisfactory (6), adequate (4), poor (0).
Requirements for the Evaluation Method
- Transparency: Method must be disclosed in tender documents
- Non-discrimination: No preference for specific bidders
- Traceability: Results must be mathematically verifiable
- Pre-determination: Method cannot be changed after bid opening
- Proportionality: Method must suit the subject matter
Common Errors
- Changing weights after bid opening (inadmissible)
- Non-transparent scoring without justification
- Using criteria not mentioned in the notice
- Mixing suitability and award criteria
Patterno hilft
Patterno automatically extracts award criteria and their weights from tender documents. You can see at a glance what matters most for your bid — whether price dominates or qualitative criteria make the difference.