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Compliance matrix / requirements traceability
Map every requirement to where you answer it — the single best anti-DQ tool.
Compliance matrix / requirements traceability
What this is
A one‑page table that links every contractual requirement (legal, technical, financial, environmental) to the exact place in your tender response where you address it. It shows the evaluator that you have systematically covered all mandatory criteria.
When you need it
Use it for any procurement where the contracting authority sets minimum requirements and expects a clear link between those requirements and your answers – typically in the selection stage and again at award when the contract is evaluated against the criteria (Article 67). It is optional but strongly recommended for complex contracts that contain many technical specifications.
How to fill it in
- List each requirement from the tender documents (e.g., "minimum financial capacity", "environmental compliance").
- For each, note the section/page number of your response where you address it.
- Indicate the type of evidence provided (certificate, test report, declaration, calculation).
- Mark the requirement as Met, Partially met or Not met.
- Add a brief comment if an exception applies or additional clarification is needed.
What wins points
- Shows full traceability – evaluators can verify that every mandatory criterion (Article 67) is satisfied without searching through the whole dossier.
- Demonstrates organisational competence and reduces perceived risk; life‑cycle costing under Article 68 can influence weighting, while meeting the requirements of Article 67 improves your score on award criteria.
How this gets you disqualified
- Missing or incomplete rows mean you cannot prove compliance with minimum requirements; the contract may be rejected under exclusion grounds (Article 57) or for non‑conformity with the European Single Procurement Document (Article 59).
- Inconsistent references cause ambiguity, leading to automatic exclusion for lack of transparency as required by Article 67 and the principle of equal treatment.
Template
| Requirement | Tender reference (page/section) | Evidence type | Status (Met/Partial/Not met) | Comments | |-------------|-----------------------------------|---------------|------------------------------|----------| | Example: Minimum annual turnover €1 M (Art 57) | Section 3.2, p.12 | Certified financial statements | Met | – | | … | … | … | … | … |
What wins points
A complete, traceable matrix proves you meet every minimum requirement, satisfying Article 67 and avoiding disqualification under Articles 57 and 59.
How this gets you disqualified
Missing or inaccurate entries break transparency, leading to exclusion for non‑conformity with the ESPD (Art 59) or minimum requirements (Art 67).
What an evaluator actually looks for
Check that each tender requirement has an exact page/section reference and supporting evidence attached.
Sources
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