SKILL.md
RFP Scoring Matrix Skill
An award that can't survive a losing bidder's challenge — or a CFO's "why not the cheapest?" — wasn't really evaluated. This skill builds a weighted evaluation matrix with explicit scoring anchors, normalizes price so cost and capability are comparable, structures consensus scoring across evaluators, and stress-tests the winner before recommending an award.
What This Skill Produces
- A criteria tree (categories → sub-criteria) with weights that sum to 100%
- Scoring anchors (what a 1, 3, and 5 looks like) for every criterion
- A normalized price-scoring method so cost comparisons are apples-to-apples
- A consensus-scoring protocol for the evaluation team
- A scored comparison table and award recommendation with a weight-sensitivity check
Required Inputs
Ask for these if not provided:
- What is being sourced — category, scope, contract length, estimated annual spend
- The bidders — names or count, and their proposals or a summary of each
- What matters most — cost pressure vs. capability vs. risk vs. service, in the buyer's words
- Evaluation team — who scores (procurement, technical, quality, finance) and any mandatory pass/fail gates (certifications, financial health, compliance)
- Pricing structure — unit prices, tiers, one-time costs, so total cost of ownership can be framed
If the brief is thin, propose a default weighting and label it [assumed — confirm weights before scoring]. Never refuse to draft.
Weighting & Scoring Framework
Default category weights (adjust to the category's risk profile, then lock before opening bids):
| Category | Default weight | Shift up when… |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | 30% | Commodity item, many qualified suppliers |
| Capability & fit | 30% | Custom/engineered item, integration effort |
| Risk (financial, supply, geographic, compliance) |