Making Sense of Weighted Scoring in UK Public Tenders

One of the biggest frustrations businesses face when bidding for contracts is not knowing exactly how their submission will be judged. Many assume it comes down to price alone, but in reality, most public tenders in the UK use a weighted scoring system that balances quality with cost. Understanding this system can make a huge difference to your chances of success.

Typically, tenders are split between Quality and Price, with each given a percentage weighting. For example, a buyer might allocate 60% of the score to Quality and 40% to Price. Within the Quality section, there will usually be further breakdowns such as methodology, team experience, social value, or sustainability. Each section is then marked against a scale, often 0-5, where higher marks are awarded for detailed, well-evidenced answers.

For smaller businesses, this is where strategy matters. If 60% or more of the score sits in the Quality section, being the cheapest supplier will not be enough to win. On the other hand, if Price has a heavier weighting, then commercial competitiveness becomes essential. The key is to recognise the balance early and prepare a bid that plays to the scoring method rather than guessing what the buyer wants to hear.

Another technical aspect is how pricing scores are calculated. Many authorities use a “normalisation” method where the lowest bid gets full marks, and all other bids are scored in proportion to it. This means that even if your price is slightly higher, you can still be in a strong position if your Quality score is excellent. The reverse is also true: weak answers can quickly drag down an otherwise competitive bid.

The Procurement Act 2023 is bringing more clarity to this process, requiring contracting authorities to be more transparent about how they evaluate tenders. This is good news for SMEs. It means you should have clearer guidance on how each part of your bid will be assessed, giving you the opportunity to plan responses that hit the highest marks.

At Bid Capture, we help businesses take advantage of this transparency. Our team knows how evaluators apply these scoring methods, and we work with clients to structure responses that maximise marks across the board. Whether it’s building stronger Quality answers, refining pricing strategies, or running mock evaluations, we give SMEs the insight they need to compete with larger players.

Winning tenders isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about understanding how every point is awarded and making sure your submission is designed to achieve the best possible score.