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Bid/no-bid decision matrix (EU)
Score a tender before spending bid effort; EU-adapted from Shipley.
What wins points
Shows compliance with key eligibility (Art 4 thresholds, Art 57 exclusion check) and clear alignment with MEAT award criteria (Art 67), boosting chances of passing admissibility and scoring well.
What gets bids disqualified
Missing threshold check (Art 4) or failing to confirm no exclusion grounds (Art 57) leads to automatic disqualification; incomplete selection evidence (Art 58) also rejects the bid.
Evaluator's view
First verify that the estimated value is above/below Article 4 thresholds and that none of the Art 57 exclusion grounds apply before any detailed documentation.
Bid/no‑bid decision matrix (EU)
What this is
A simple worksheet that helps a solo contractor quickly decide whether to invest time in preparing a bid for an EU public procurement contract. It combines key eligibility checks, financial thresholds and basic scoring guidance into one page.
When you need it
Use at the early stage of tender assessment – after receiving the contract notice but before spending resources on detailed documentation. It is mandatory for all tenders where the estimated value exceeds the threshold amounts (Article 4) or where exclusion grounds may apply (Article 57). Optional for lower‑value contracts to avoid wasting effort.
How to fill it in
- Identify the procurement category (works, supplies, services) from the contract notice.
- Check the estimated value against the thresholds in Article 4 of Directive 2014/24/EU. Enter the figure and mark Above or Below the relevant threshold.
- Screen for exclusion grounds listed in Article 57 (e.g., insolvency, criminal convictions). Tick each applicable ground; leave blank if none apply.
- Assess selection criteria from Article 58 – list the mandatory criteria and indicate whether you can meet them with evidence (e.g., financial capacity, technical ability).
- Score rough fit: assign a low/medium/high rating for overall compliance. If high and the value is above the threshold, proceed to full bid preparation.
- Record next steps: deadline for submission, required documents, responsible person.
Template
Bid/No‑Bid Decision Matrix – EU Public Procurement ------------------------------------------------ Contract title: _________________________________ Reference number: _______________________________ Category (works/supplies/services): _____________ Estimated value (€): ____________________________ Above threshold (Art. 4)? [ ] Yes [ ] No Exclusion grounds (Art. 57) – tick if applicable: - Insolvency / bankruptcy [ ] - Criminal conviction [ ] - Conflict of interest [ ] - Social security/ tax issues [ ] - Others _______________________[ ] Selection criteria (Art. 58) – can you meet? 1. Financial capacity [ ] Yes [ ] No 2. Technical capability [ ] Yes [ ] No 3. Professional experience [ ] Yes [ ] No 4. Quality certifications [ ] Yes [ ] No 5. Other required criteria _______________________[ ] Overall fit rating (low/medium/high): ___________ Proceed to full bid? [ ] Yes [ ] No Next steps & deadline: _____________________________________________ Responsible person: ________________________________________________
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