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Microlesson · 5-min read

Selection of Quotation / Proposal

## Selection of Quotation / Proposal

After tenders are invited, qualifying vendors submit price quotations/proposals to the purchase department, which then selects a supplier.

### The process

1. Receive quotations — vendors meeting all criteria submit prices.

2. Prepare a comparative statement — to analyse and compare all quotations received.

3. Evaluate against key factors (not price alone).

### Key evaluation factors

The purchase department weighs:

  • Price
  • Quantity available
  • Quality offered
  • Time of delivery
  • Mode of transportation
  • Terms of payment
  • Reputation of the supplier

### Additional considerations

The purchase manager may also gather information on the supplier's previous performance and financial stability before finalising.

> Purpose: To ensure value for money, reliable delivery, and quality materials through a fair and objective selection process.

> Exam point: Although the L1 (lowest) bidder is often chosen, selection is not purely price-based — quality, delivery time, payment terms and supplier reputation all matter.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Assuming the supplier is selected on price alone — multiple factors (quality, delivery, payment terms, reputation) are evaluated via a comparative statement.
  • Forgetting the tool used to compare quotations is called a 'comparative statement'.
  • Omitting non-price factors such as supplier financial stability and past performance in the answer.
Reference:
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