Governing evidence and applicability rules (take precedence over aggregate bands): establish the document purpose, design, stage and available evidence before rating. A fit-for-purpose single-method design can earn the highest applicable rating; do not require complexity, mixed methods or two sources for every finding. Distinguish applicable, not applicable with reason, not evidenced, and observed inadequate. Report applicable coverage and the raw denominator. If any dimension is N/A or not evidenced, report the profile and gaps without a 25-point band or an unvalidated rescaled equivalent. Never interpret missing documentation as proof no activity occurred. Use source-linked historical facts only; keep proposed work and illustrative examples separate. Preserve unresolved source conflicts. Do not invent baseline values, quotations, fieldwork, pilots, validation, consent or approvals to improve a score. A serious consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, measurement-validity or unsupported-inference failure is a blocking issue regardless of the total, including 22/25. High document-quality scores do not establish legal compliance, instrument readiness, field authorization or donor approval. Accountable human review against the applicable protocol is separate. A well-documented failed pilot may score 25/25 for documentation while remaining not ready for fielding.
Scoring Criteria
All 4 elements: Technical skills named specifically, sector knowledge specified at sub-sector level, methods knowledge specified with named techniques, tools or software proficiency listed where relevant.
At least 3 of 4 elements: Skills and sector named; methods or tools partial.
At least two elements present. Generic skills with one specific element. Sector broad.
Skills stated as "M&E experience" without specificity. No methods or tools.
No required expertise, OR expertise unrelated to evaluation scope.
All 4 elements: Minimum years calibrated to scope, sector experience specified with minimum engagements, geographic experience specified, methods experience specified with recency.
At least three elements present. Years and sector calibrated; geographic or methods experience partial.
At least two elements present. Years stated but sector or geography generic.
Years stated without scope calibration. No prior-engagement requirements.
No experience requirements, OR clearly inappropriate to scope.
All 4 elements: Scoring matrix with named criteria, weights per criterion totaling a stated total, point scale per criterion, reviewer guidance on evidence-to-score mapping.
At least three elements present. Matrix with weights and scale; guidance partial.
At least two elements present. Matrix included but weights or scale incomplete.
Criteria listed without matrix, weights, or scale.
No scoring approach, OR scoring left to undocumented judgment.
All 4 elements: Local expertise requirement specified, gender balance addressed, language requirements specified, lived experience or representation named where appropriate.
At least three elements present. Local and language addressed; gender or lived experience partial.
At least two elements present. Local or language addressed but gender and lived experience absent.
One element present. Diversity as checkbox.
No diversity or GESI considerations.
All 4 elements: Criteria objective and verifiable, non-discriminatory, evaluation process documented, feedback to unsuccessful bidders offered.
At least three elements present. Criteria objective and process documented; non-discrimination or feedback partial.
At least two elements present. Criteria objective but process or feedback unstated.
Subjective criteria without operational definition. No process.
No process, OR discriminatory elements without justification.
Score Interpretation
| Total (out of 25) | Band | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| 22-25 | Strong | Strong documentation profile only. Resolve blocking issues and obtain the applicable human review; this score does not authorize use. |
| 17-21 | Adequate | Address flagged dimensions before issuing. |
| 11-16 | Needs Revision | Substantial revision required before procurement. Use Revise prompt with AI output as revision brief. |
| 5-10 | Substantial Revision | Do not issue. Rebuild the selection criteria starting from expertise specificity and scoring matrix. |