Tender score calculator

How the scoring works

Under the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022 (in force since 16 January 2023), a tender worth up to R50 million (including taxes) is scored out of 100 with the 80/20 system: 80 points for price and up to 20 for the specific goals the buyer sets. Above R50 million it is 90/10.

Ps = 80 × (1 − (Pt − Pmin) ÷ Pmin)

Ps is your price points, Pt your price, and Pmin the price of the lowest acceptable tender. For 90/10 replace 80 with 90. The specific-goal points are added and the total is rounded to two decimals. The highest total wins, subject to section 2(1)(f) of the Act.

What to remember

• The buyer must state the specific goals and the points for each in the tender documents. There is no fixed points-per-level table, so use the points that tender offers.
• Twenty points can offset a price gap of up to 25% on 80/20 (10 points about 11% on 90/10). Treasury's own guidance gives these two figures.
• On an exact tie, the tender goes to the bidder with more specific-goal points, then to a draw of lots.
• Functionality comes first. A bid below the stated minimum is disqualified before price is scored, and the criteria cannot be changed after publication.
• Income-generating tenders (leases, disposals) use the highest bid instead of the lowest and are not covered here.