When you submit a tender, your bid doesn’t go into a hat for random selection. It goes through a structured scoring process where buyers evaluate every section against clear criteria.
For many Black South African entrepreneurs and SMEs, understanding exactly how tenders are scored can be the difference between losing and winning—sometimes by a single point. This guide breaks down what buyers actually look for when evaluating your bid.
1. Why Understanding Tender Scoring Is Important
If you know the evaluation criteria:
- You can focus on high-scoring sections
- You avoid wasting time on areas that carry little weight
- You can present your business in a way that maximises points
The scoring system is designed to ensure fairness, but it’s also a strict compliance filter—non-compliant bids get disqualified before scoring even starts.
2. The Three Main Stages of Tender Evaluation
Most government tenders in South Africa use a three-stage process:
Stage 1: Compliance Check
Before scoring starts, the buyer checks:
- All mandatory documents are included
- Forms are completed and signed
- You meet eligibility criteria (e.g., CIDB grading, PSIRA registration)
- CSD registration is active and compliant
- Your SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN is valid
Tip: If you fail Stage 1, your bid is marked non-responsive and won’t move forward.
Stage 2: Functionality (Technical) Scoring
This stage measures your ability to deliver the project.
Typical functionality criteria:
- Experience – Number of similar projects completed
- Qualifications – Skills and certifications of your team
- Capacity – Equipment, vehicles, staff available
- Methodology – How you plan to deliver the service or product
- Quality assurance – Processes to ensure high standards
Minimum thresholds apply—often 60%, 70%, or 80%. If you don’t meet this, your pricing won’t be considered.
Stage 3: Price and Preference Points
This stage uses the 80/20 or 90/10 scoring system under the PPPFA:
Tender Value | Price Points | B-BBEE Points | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Below R50 million | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Above R50 million | 90 | 10 | 100 |
- Price Points: Lower prices score higher, but must still be realistic
- B-BBEE Points: Higher B-BBEE levels get more preference points
3. Example: How Scores Are Calculated
Tender Value: R2 million (80/20 system)
- Functionality: 70% (minimum threshold met)
- Price Score: 76 points (based on your price vs the lowest price)
- B-BBEE Score: 20 points (Level 1 contributor)
Total Score: 96/100
The highest total score wins the tender.
4. What Buyers Value Most
- Responsiveness – Did you follow instructions exactly?
- Capacity & Track Record – Can you deliver without delays or quality issues?
- Value for Money – Is your price fair and competitive?
- Compliance – Are you tax, CSD, and regulatory compliant?
- Transformation – B-BBEE level and contribution
5. How to Maximise Your Score
- Read the evaluation criteria section in the bid document carefully
- Allocate more effort to high-weighted criteria
- Provide clear, organised evidence for functionality points
- Price strategically—not too low (loss-making) or too high (uncompetitive)
- Maintain a strong B-BBEE rating for extra preference points
6. How etenderportal.co.za Helps
On etenderportal.co.za you can:
- Access tender documents early to study evaluation criteria
- Filter by category and province to find winnable opportunities
- Use our tender guides to improve compliance and scoring
7. Final Tips
Understanding tender evaluation criteria is like knowing the exam questions before you write the test—it helps you focus where it matters most.
Government tenders are one of the most powerful ways to grow your business — if you’re prepared and compliant. Learn the scoring system, prepare your documents, and aim for top marks in every category.