# What Is the Best Practice for Weighting Price versus Technical Merit in an RFP Evaluation? ▴ Question

**Published:** 2025-08-09
**Categories:** Question

---

![Abstract bisected spheres, reflective grey and textured teal, forming an infinity, symbolize institutional digital asset derivatives. Grey represents high-fidelity execution and market microstructure teal, deep liquidity pools and volatility surface data](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/prime-os-rfq-protocols-for-digital-asset-derivatives-execution.jpg)

![A central, intricate blue mechanism, evocative of an Execution Management System EMS or Prime RFQ, embodies algorithmic trading. Transparent rings signify dynamic liquidity pools and price discovery for institutional digital asset derivatives](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/precision-engineered-institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-framework-driving-high-fidelity-rfq-execution-and-optimized-market-microstructure-for-capital-efficiency.jpg)

## Concept

The determination of how to weight price against [technical merit](https://prime.greeks.live/area/technical-merit/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite) within a Request for Proposal (RFP) evaluation is a foundational exercise in strategic value definition. It moves the procurement function from a cost-centric activity to a value-acquisition system. The core of this process involves designing a mechanism that quantifies an organization’s priorities, translating strategic goals into a defensible, mathematical framework.

This is an act of creating a bespoke decision-making model that reflects a unique balance of risk tolerance, performance requirements, and financial constraints. The objective is to engineer a selection process that identifies the proposal offering the most advantageous combination of capabilities and lifecycle cost, a concept often termed “[Best Value](https://prime.greeks.live/area/best-value/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite).”

At its heart, the weighting decision is a codification of strategy. An overemphasis on price can lead to the selection of a vendor that, while inexpensive, fails to meet critical performance thresholds, introducing operational risk and potentially higher total costs over the asset’s lifecycle. Conversely, an excessive focus on technical excellence without sufficient regard for price can result in acquiring over-engineered, unnecessarily expensive solutions that fail to deliver a proportional return on investment. The optimal balance is therefore context-dependent, dictated by the specific nature of the goods or services being procured.

For standardized, commodity-like items, price logically assumes a greater weight. For complex systems, strategic consulting, or critical infrastructure, technical merit, vendor stability, and performance history become paramount.

The evaluation system itself functions as a transparent communication protocol. By defining and publishing the weighting schema ▴ for instance, a 60% allocation to technical factors and 40% to price ▴ an organization clearly signals its priorities to the market. This transparency enables potential bidders to tailor their proposals to align with the buyer’s stated values, fostering a more competitive and relevant pool of responses.

A well-structured evaluation framework, therefore, does more than simply rank proposals; it actively shapes the quality and focus of the submissions it receives. It creates a level playing field where all bidders are assessed against the same predefined, mission-critical variables, ensuring the final decision is both objective and auditable.

![A precise digital asset derivatives trading mechanism, featuring transparent data conduits symbolizing RFQ protocol execution and multi-leg spread strategies. Intricate gears visualize market microstructure, ensuring high-fidelity execution and robust price discovery](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/high-fidelity-institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-execution-framework.jpg)

![A dark, transparent capsule, representing a principal's secure channel, is intersected by a sharp teal prism and an opaque beige plane. This illustrates institutional digital asset derivatives interacting with dynamic market microstructure and aggregated liquidity](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocols-market-microstructure.jpg)

## Strategy

Developing a strategic framework for weighting price and technical merit requires a deliberate and structured approach that aligns the procurement decision with overarching organizational objectives. This process transcends simple percentage allocation; it involves selecting an evaluation methodology that accurately reflects the procurement’s complexity and strategic importance. The chosen strategy dictates how value is defined and measured, directly influencing the outcome of the RFP. Three principal strategic models provide a foundation for this decision ▴ [Lowest Price Technically Acceptable](https://prime.greeks.live/area/lowest-price-technically-acceptable/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite) (LPTA), Weighted-Attribute evaluation, and Fixed-Budget Best Value.

> A procurement strategy’s effectiveness is measured by its ability to translate an organization’s definition of value into a quantifiable and repeatable selection process.

![A precision-engineered component, like an RFQ protocol engine, displays a reflective blade and numerical data. It symbolizes high-fidelity execution within market microstructure, driving price discovery, capital efficiency, and algorithmic trading for institutional Digital Asset Derivatives on a Prime RFQ](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/high-fidelity-execution-engine-core-for-institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocol-price-discovery.jpg)

## Foundational Evaluation Methodologies

The selection of an evaluation methodology is the first strategic decision. Each model offers a different lens through which to view the trade-off between cost and quality, and the choice depends entirely on the nature of the procurement.

- **[Lowest Price](https://prime.greeks.live/question/what-are-the-key-differences-between-a-best-value-and-a-lowest-price-technically-acceptable-rfp/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite) Technically Acceptable (LPTA)** ▴ In this model, the primary driver is cost. Technical proposals are first evaluated on a pass/fail basis against a set of minimum mandatory requirements. Any proposal that fails to meet these technical thresholds is disqualified. From the remaining pool of technically acceptable proposals, the contract is awarded to the one with the lowest price. This strategy is most effective for procuring standardized goods or services where there is little to no added value from exceeding the minimum technical specifications. Its primary advantage is simplicity and objectivity, but it carries the risk of discouraging innovation and failing to recognize superior solutions that might offer better long-term value.

- **Weighted-Attribute Model** ▴ This is the most common and flexible methodology for best-value procurements. It assigns specific percentage weights to price and various non-price factors, such as technical capability, project management approach, vendor experience, and past performance. For example, a complex IT system procurement might assign 30% to price and 70% to a combination of technical criteria. This model allows for a nuanced assessment, enabling the organization to reward proposals that exceed minimum requirements. The key to its successful implementation lies in the careful, evidence-based assignment of weights before the RFP is issued.

- **Fixed-Budget Best Value** ▴ This approach, also known as “design-to-cost,” inverts the typical process. The organization specifies a fixed budget in the RFP and invites vendors to propose the best possible technical solution and scope of work for that amount. The evaluation then focuses almost exclusively on the technical merit and value of the proposals, with price held as a constant. This model is particularly useful when the budget is a primary constraint or when the scope is difficult to define precisely. It encourages vendors to innovate and maximize the value they can deliver within a set financial boundary.

![A luminous digital market microstructure diagram depicts intersecting high-fidelity execution paths over a transparent liquidity pool. A central RFQ engine processes aggregated inquiries for institutional digital asset derivatives, optimizing price discovery and capital efficiency within a Prime RFQ](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocols-high-fidelity-execution-principal-operational-framework-price-discovery.jpg)

## Developing a Granular Scoring System

Once a strategic model is chosen, the next step is to build the detailed scoring architecture. This involves breaking down high-level criteria into specific, measurable sub-criteria. For a “Technical Merit” category weighted at 60%, for instance, the points might be further distributed among sub-categories like ‘System Functionality’ (25%), ‘Implementation Plan’ (15%), ‘Support and Maintenance’ (10%), and ‘Team Qualifications’ (10%).

The scoring scale itself is a critical component. A simple 1-3 scale often lacks the granularity to differentiate meaningfully between strong proposals. A 5 or 10-point scale, coupled with clear, descriptive definitions for each score level (e.g.

0 = Not Addressed, 1 = Major Deficiencies, 5 = Meets Requirements, 10 = Exceptional), provides evaluators with a more robust tool for assessment. This structured approach ensures consistency across evaluators and creates a clear audit trail justifying the scores awarded.

### Table 1 ▴ Comparison of Strategic Evaluation Models

| Evaluation Model | Primary Focus | Ideal Use Case | Key Advantages | Strategic Risks |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) | Cost Minimization | Standardized goods/services with clear, non-negotiable specifications. | Simplicity, speed, high objectivity. | Discourages innovation; may lead to higher Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). |
| Weighted-Attribute | Balanced Value | Complex procurements where performance and quality are key differentiators. | High flexibility; allows for nuanced trade-offs between price and quality. | Requires careful weight-setting; can be complex to manage. |
| Fixed-Budget Best Value | Maximizing Quality | Projects with a firm budget or where scope is flexible. | Fosters vendor innovation; ensures project stays within budget. | Requires a well-defined budget; may limit potential solutions. |

![Internal, precise metallic and transparent components are illuminated by a teal glow. This visual metaphor represents the sophisticated market microstructure and high-fidelity execution of RFQ protocols for institutional digital asset derivatives](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocol-execution-engine-microstructure-prime-os-intelligence-layer-atomic-settlement-precision.jpg)

![Abstract geometric structure with sharp angles and translucent planes, symbolizing institutional digital asset derivatives market microstructure. The central point signifies a core RFQ protocol engine, enabling precise price discovery and liquidity aggregation for multi-leg options strategies, crucial for high-fidelity execution and capital efficiency](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/principals-operational-framework-optimizing-institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocol-execution-for-alpha-generation.jpg)

## Execution

The execution of a weighted [RFP evaluation](https://prime.greeks.live/area/rfp-evaluation/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite) transforms strategic intent into a disciplined, operational process. This phase requires meticulous planning and adherence to a systematic workflow to ensure fairness, transparency, and the selection of the true best-value proposal. The core of this execution lies in the establishment of a formal evaluation plan, the normalization of scores to enable like-for-like comparisons, and the rigorous application of the chosen weighting model.

![A sleek device, symbolizing a Prime RFQ for Institutional Grade Digital Asset Derivatives, balances on a luminous sphere representing the global Liquidity Pool. A clear globe, embodying the Intelligence Layer of Market Microstructure and Price Discovery for RFQ protocols, rests atop, illustrating High-Fidelity Execution for Bitcoin Options](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocol-execution-intelligence-layer-prime-os.jpg)

## The Operational Playbook for Evaluation

A successful evaluation process follows a clear, multi-step playbook. This procedural guide ensures that all proposals are assessed consistently and that the final decision is robust and defensible.

- **Establish the Evaluation Committee** ▴ Assemble a cross-functional team of 3-5 evaluators with expertise relevant to the procurement (e.g. technical, financial, legal, end-user). All members must be trained on the evaluation criteria, scoring methodology, and their responsibility to remain objective and avoid conflicts of interest.

- **Finalize the Evaluation Matrix** ▴ The detailed evaluation matrix, containing all criteria, sub-criteria, weights, and the scoring scale, must be finalized and approved before any proposals are opened. This matrix is the single source of truth for the evaluation.

- **Conduct a Two-Stage Evaluation** ▴ To mitigate bias, a two-stage evaluation is a recognized best practice. The technical evaluation is conducted first, without the committee having access to any pricing information. Each evaluator independently scores the technical proposals against the matrix, providing written justification for their scores.

- **Hold a Moderation Meeting** ▴ After individual scoring is complete, the committee convenes for a moderation meeting. The purpose is to discuss and reconcile significant variances in scores. Evaluators present the rationale for their scoring, and through discussion, the committee reaches a consensus raw score for each technical criterion. This collaborative process enhances the reliability of the final scores.

- **Score the Price Proposals** ▴ Only after the technical consensus scores are finalized should the price proposals be opened. Price scoring is typically done via a formula that normalizes the scores. A common method is to award the maximum available points to the lowest-priced bid and score other bids proportionally.

- **Calculate the Final Weighted Score** ▴ The final step is to apply the predetermined weights to the consensus technical scores and the normalized price scores to calculate a total score for each proposal. The proposal with the highest total score is identified as the one offering the best value.

![Stacked, modular components represent a sophisticated Prime RFQ for institutional digital asset derivatives. Each layer signifies distinct liquidity pools or execution venues, with transparent covers revealing intricate market microstructure and algorithmic trading logic, facilitating high-fidelity execution and price discovery within a private quotation environment](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-execution-framework.jpg)

## Quantitative Modeling and Data Analysis

The heart of the execution phase is the quantitative scoring. Price scores must be normalized to be combined with technical scores. A common normalization formula is the proportional approach ▴ 

_Final Price Score = (Lowest Bid Price / This Bidder’s Price) Maximum Available Price Points_

This formula ensures the lowest price receives the full allocation of points, while higher prices receive progressively fewer points. Some models will assign zero points if a bid is more than double the lowest cost to avoid extreme outliers distorting the evaluation.

> A well-designed scoring formula acts as the impartial arbiter, translating diverse qualitative and quantitative inputs into a single, comparable metric of value.

Let’s consider a hypothetical RFP for an enterprise software system. The total available points are 1,000, with the weighting set at 70% for Technical Merit (700 points) and 30% for Price (300 points).

### Table 2 ▴ Hypothetical RFP Evaluation Scoring

| Evaluation Criterion | Weight | Max Points | Vendor A Score | Vendor B Score | Vendor C Score |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Technical Merit (Raw Consensus Score out of 100) | 70% | 700 | 92 | 85 | 78 |
| – Final Technical Score (Raw Score 7) | | | 644 | 595 | 546 |
| Price Proposal | 30% | 300 | $450,000 | $380,000 (Lowest) | $495,000 |
| – Final Price Score (Normalized) | | | ($380k/$450k) 300 = 253 | ($380k/$380k) 300 = 300 | ($380k/$495k) 300 = 230 |
| Total Score | 100% | 1000 | 897 | 895 | 776 |

In this scenario, Vendor A, despite having a higher price than Vendor B, wins the contract. Its superior technical score, when weighted, was sufficient to overcome the price difference. This outcome demonstrates the power of a weighted system to select a solution that provides greater overall value, preventing the decision from defaulting to the cheapest option which may be technically inferior.

![A transparent sphere, representing a digital asset option, rests on an aqua geometric RFQ execution venue. This proprietary liquidity pool integrates with an opaque institutional grade infrastructure, depicting high-fidelity execution and atomic settlement within a Principal's operational framework for Crypto Derivatives OS](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-execution-system-prime-os.jpg)

## Integrating Total Cost of Ownership

A more advanced execution model incorporates the [Total Cost of Ownership](https://prime.greeks.live/area/total-cost-of-ownership/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite) (TCO) instead of just the initial purchase price. TCO provides a more complete financial picture by including costs related to implementation, training, maintenance, support, and eventual decommissioning. The “Price” score is replaced by a “TCO Score.”

- **Acquisition Costs** ▴ The initial purchase price of the software/hardware.

- **Implementation Costs** ▴ Costs for installation, data migration, and integration.

- **Operating Costs** ▴ Annual fees for support, maintenance, licenses, and necessary personnel.

- **Decommissioning Costs** ▴ Costs to retire the system at the end of its life.

By calculating a 3 or 5-year TCO for each proposal, the evaluation committee gains a far more accurate understanding of the long-term financial commitment. This TCO figure is then used in the price normalization formula, ensuring the organization is truly evaluating the complete economic impact of each solution.

![Abstract spheres on a fulcrum symbolize Institutional Digital Asset Derivatives RFQ protocol. A small white sphere represents a multi-leg spread, balanced by a large reflective blue sphere for block trades](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocol-dynamic-balance-for-optimal-high-fidelity-execution.jpg)

## References

- Bergman, M. A. & Lundberg, S. (2013). Tender evaluation and supplier selection in public procurement. Journal of Purchasing & Supply Management, 19 (2), 73-83.

- Nagle, James F. A History of Government Contracting. The George Washington University Law School, 1992.

- Scott, Sidney, et al. Best-Value Procurement Methods for Highway Construction Projects. National Academies Press, 2006.

- Degraeve, Z. Labro, E. & Roodhooft, F. (2000). An evaluation of vendor selection models from a total cost of ownership perspective. European Journal of Operational Research, 125 (1), 34-59.

- Molenaar, K. R. & Tran, D. Q. (2015). AASHTO Guide for Design-Build Procurement. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

- Gaikwad, S. (2019). A Study on Best Value Procurement in the Construction Industry. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 145(5).

- “Best Value in Government Procurement.” NIGP ▴ The Institute for Public Procurement, Position Paper, 2020.

- “Decide on your evaluation methodology.” New Zealand Government Procurement, 2021.

![A segmented teal and blue institutional digital asset derivatives platform reveals its core market microstructure. Internal layers expose sophisticated algorithmic execution engines, high-fidelity liquidity aggregation, and real-time risk management protocols, integral to a Prime RFQ supporting Bitcoin options and Ethereum futures trading](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-prime-os-core-microstructure.jpg)

## Reflection

The construction of an RFP evaluation framework is an act of organizational self-reflection. The weights assigned and the criteria selected are a direct reflection of what the organization values, not just in a specific procurement, but in its strategic partners and its own operational future. Moving beyond a simple price-versus-features checklist to a holistic, value-based system requires a commitment to a more sophisticated understanding of performance, risk, and lifecycle cost. The framework is a dynamic instrument, one that should be refined with each major procurement, learning from past decisions to sharpen future ones.

Ultimately, the “best practice” is the creation of a bespoke system that is transparent, defensible, and aligned with strategic intent. It is a system that empowers the organization to articulate its needs with precision and provides a clear, equitable mechanism for the market to respond. The true measure of a successful evaluation is not just the selection of a vendor, but the establishment of a partnership that delivers sustained value long after the contract is signed. The process itself becomes a strategic asset, enhancing the quality of decision-making and ensuring that every dollar spent is an investment in the organization’s long-term success.

![Abstract visualization of institutional digital asset RFQ protocols. Intersecting elements symbolize high-fidelity execution slicing dark liquidity pools, facilitating precise price discovery](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-rfq-protocol-execution-intelligence-layer.jpg)

## Glossary

<a href="https://prime.greeks.live/area/technical-merit/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![Translucent teal glass pyramid and flat pane, geometrically aligned on a dark base, symbolize market microstructure and price discovery within RFQ protocols for institutional digital asset derivatives. This visualizes multi-leg spread construction, high-fidelity execution via a Principal's operational framework, ensuring atomic settlement for latent liquidity](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/transparent-geometric-structures-visualizing-multi-leg-spread-rfq-protocols-for-high-fidelity-institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-execution.jpg)

## Technical Merit

Meaning ▴ Technical Merit, in the context of systems architecture and procurement, refers to the inherent quality, robustness, efficiency, scalability, and innovative design of a proposed technological solution or system. </a><a href="https://prime.greeks.live/area/best-value/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![A central rod, symbolizing an RFQ inquiry, links distinct liquidity pools and market makers. A transparent disc, an execution venue, facilitates price discovery](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-rfq-protocol-execution-optimization.jpg)

## Best Value

Meaning ▴ Best Value, in the context of crypto trading and institutional Request for Quote (RFQ) processes, represents the optimal combination of execution price, speed, certainty of fill, and overall transaction cost for an order. </a><a href="https://prime.greeks.live/area/lowest-price-technically-acceptable/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![A transparent, multi-faceted component, indicative of an RFQ engine's intricate market microstructure logic, emerges from complex FIX Protocol connectivity. Its sharp edges signify high-fidelity execution and price discovery precision for institutional digital asset derivatives](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-engine-optimized-for-best-execution.jpg)

## Lowest Price Technically Acceptable

Meaning ▴ Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) is a procurement evaluation methodology where bids are first assessed for technical acceptability against predefined requirements, and among those deemed acceptable, the contract is awarded to the offeror proposing the lowest price. </a><a href="https://prime.greeks.live/question/what-are-the-key-differences-between-a-best-value-and-a-lowest-price-technically-acceptable-rfp/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![A precision-engineered metallic and glass system depicts the core of an Institutional Grade Prime RFQ, facilitating high-fidelity execution for Digital Asset Derivatives. Transparent layers represent visible liquidity pools and the intricate market microstructure supporting RFQ protocol processing, ensuring atomic settlement capabilities](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/robust-institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-trading-platform-for-optimized-rfq-protocol-execution-and-deep-liquidity-access.jpg)

## Lowest Price

Best-Value RFPs use a trade-off analysis to weigh cost against performance, while LPTA RFPs award to the lowest bidder meeting minimums. </a><a href="https://prime.greeks.live/area/rfp-evaluation/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![A transparent, angular teal object with an embedded dark circular lens rests on a light surface. This visualizes an institutional-grade RFQ engine, enabling high-fidelity execution and precise price discovery for digital asset derivatives](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-rfq-engine-high-fidelity-execution.jpg)

## Rfp Evaluation

Meaning ▴ RFP Evaluation is the systematic and objective process of assessing and comparing the proposals submitted by various vendors in response to a Request for Proposal, with the ultimate goal of identifying the most suitable solution or service provider. </a><a href="https://prime.greeks.live/area/total-cost-of-ownership/?utm_source=options.greeks.live&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=satellite" class="glossary-item-box">
![A sleek, multi-segmented sphere embodies a Principal's operational framework for institutional digital asset derivatives. Its transparent 'intelligence layer' signifies high-fidelity execution and price discovery via RFQ protocols](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/prime-os-rfq-protocol-digital-asset-derivatives-execution-engine.jpg)

## Total Cost of Ownership

Meaning ▴ Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a comprehensive financial metric that quantifies the direct and indirect costs associated with acquiring, operating, and maintaining a product or system throughout its entire lifecycle. </a>

**Tags:** [Best Value Procurement](https://options.greeks.live/area/best-value-procurement/), [RFP Evaluation](https://options.greeks.live/area/rfp-evaluation/), [Total Cost of Ownership](https://options.greeks.live/area/total-cost-of-ownership/), [Strategic Sourcing](https://options.greeks.live/area/strategic-sourcing/), [Technical Merit](https://options.greeks.live/area/technical-merit/), [Lowest Price Technically Acceptable](https://options.greeks.live/area/lowest-price-technically-acceptable/)	

## Discover More

- 
### [How Should an Organization Properly Balance Price against Qualitative Factors in a Weighted Rfp Scoring Model?](https://options.greeks.live/question/how-should-an-organization-properly-balance-price-against-qualitative-factors-in-a-weighted-rfp-scoring-model/)
![A metallic stylus balances on a central fulcrum, symbolizing a Prime RFQ orchestrating high-fidelity execution for institutional digital asset derivatives. This visualizes price discovery within market microstructure, ensuring capital efficiency and best execution through RFQ protocols.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/prime-os-rfq-for-digital-asset-derivatives-low-latency-best-execution.jpg)

A weighted RFP model balances price and quality by translating strategic priorities into a quantifiable, defensible scoring framework.

- 
### [What Are the Most Common Pitfalls in the RFP Process for IT Services?](https://options.greeks.live/question/what-are-the-most-common-pitfalls-in-the-rfp-process-for-it-services/)
![Abstract visualization of institutional digital asset RFQ protocols. Intersecting elements symbolize high-fidelity execution slicing dark liquidity pools, facilitating precise price discovery. This depicts advanced Crypto Derivatives OS market microstructure, powered by an intelligence layer for Principal Trading.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-rfq-protocol-execution-intelligence-layer.jpg)

The RFP process is a strategic architecture for translating business needs into technical solutions; its pitfalls are failures in that translation.

- 
### [What Are the Primary Challenges in Implementing a Total Cost of Ownership Model for Rfp Evaluation?](https://options.greeks.live/question/what-are-the-primary-challenges-in-implementing-a-total-cost-of-ownership-model-for-rfp-evaluation/)
![A sleek, multi-component device with a prominent lens, embodying a sophisticated RFQ workflow engine. Its modular design signifies integrated liquidity pools and dynamic price discovery for institutional digital asset derivatives. This system facilitates high-fidelity execution, real-time risk aggregation, and optimized capital efficiency.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-engine-microstructure-2.jpg)

Implementing a TCO model for RFP evaluation is a challenge of systemic integration over simple accounting.

- 
### [How Can an Organization Objectively Define and Measure ‘Quality’ in an Rfp Evaluation?](https://options.greeks.live/question/how-can-an-organization-objectively-define-and-measure-quality-in-an-rfp-evaluation/)
![An abstract, multi-component digital infrastructure with a central lens and circuit patterns, embodying an Institutional Digital Asset Derivatives platform. This Prime RFQ enables High-Fidelity Execution via RFQ Protocol, optimizing Market Microstructure for Algorithmic Trading, Price Discovery, and Multi-Leg Spread.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/institutional-grade-digital-asset-derivatives-trading-platform-powering-high-fidelity-execution-via-advanced-rfq-protocol-prime-os-intelligence-layer.jpg)

An organization defines RFP quality by architecting a weighted, multi-dimensional evaluation matrix and measures it via a disciplined, data-driven scoring protocol.

- 
### [What Is the Role of a Devil’s Advocate in the Rfp Evaluation Process?](https://options.greeks.live/question/what-is-the-role-of-a-devils-advocate-in-the-rfp-evaluation-process/)
![A sleek, domed control module, light green to deep blue, on a textured grey base, signifies precision. This represents a Principal's Prime RFQ for institutional digital asset derivatives, enabling high-fidelity execution via RFQ protocols, optimizing price discovery, and enhancing capital efficiency within market microstructure.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/precision-control-for-institutional-digital-asset-rfq-execution.jpg)

The Devil's Advocate is a systemic control function that pressure-tests an RFP evaluation's logic to ensure a resilient, defensible outcome.

- 
### [What Are the Most Common Categories for Rfp Evaluation Criteria?](https://options.greeks.live/question/what-are-the-most-common-categories-for-rfp-evaluation-criteria/)
![A precision-engineered metallic and glass system depicts the core of an Institutional Grade Prime RFQ, facilitating high-fidelity execution for Digital Asset Derivatives. Transparent layers represent visible liquidity pools and the intricate market microstructure supporting RFQ protocol processing, ensuring atomic settlement capabilities.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/robust-institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-trading-platform-for-optimized-rfq-protocol-execution-and-deep-liquidity-access.jpg)

RFP evaluation criteria are a weighted, multi-category system for translating vendor proposals into a defensible, value-optimized decision.

- 
### [What Is the Role of a Neutral Third-Party Evaluator in Mitigating RFP Bias and Improving Outcomes?](https://options.greeks.live/question/what-is-the-role-of-a-neutral-third-party-evaluator-in-mitigating-rfp-bias-and-improving-outcomes/)
![A sleek green probe, symbolizing a precise RFQ protocol, engages a dark, textured execution venue, representing a digital asset derivatives liquidity pool. This signifies institutional-grade price discovery and high-fidelity execution through an advanced Prime RFQ, minimizing slippage and optimizing capital efficiency.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-protocol-integration-for-high-fidelity-execution-and-institutional-liquidity-aggregation-on-prime-os.jpg)

A neutral evaluator injects objective, data-driven discipline into the RFP process, ensuring vendor selection is based on merit, not bias.

- 
### [How Do You Effectively Weight Non-Price Factors against Cost in an RFP Rubric?](https://options.greeks.live/question/how-do-you-effectively-weight-non-price-factors-against-cost-in-an-rfp-rubric/)
![A multi-faceted crystalline form with sharp, radiating elements centers on a dark sphere, symbolizing complex market microstructure. This represents sophisticated RFQ protocols, aggregated inquiry, and high-fidelity execution across diverse liquidity pools, optimizing capital efficiency for institutional digital asset derivatives within a Prime RFQ.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/rfq-protocols-for-institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-price-discovery.jpg)

A rubric's weighting system translates strategic priorities into a quantitative model for value-based procurement decisions.

- 
### [What Is the Best Way to Weight Criteria in an Rfp Scoring Model?](https://options.greeks.live/question/what-is-the-best-way-to-weight-criteria-in-an-rfp-scoring-model/)
![A precise, multi-faceted geometric structure represents institutional digital asset derivatives RFQ protocols. Its sharp angles denote high-fidelity execution and price discovery for multi-leg spread strategies, symbolizing capital efficiency and atomic settlement within a Prime RFQ.](https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/digital-asset-derivatives-rfq-execution-microstructure-framework.jpg)

The best way to weight RFP criteria is to create a data-driven model that translates strategic priorities into a defensible evaluation framework.

---

## Raw Schema Data

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
    "itemListElement": [
        {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 1,
            "name": "Home",
            "item": "https://options.greeks.live"
        },
        {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 2,
            "name": "Question",
            "item": "https://options.greeks.live/question/"
        },
        {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 3,
            "name": "What Is the Best Practice for Weighting Price versus Technical Merit in an RFP Evaluation?",
            "item": "https://options.greeks.live/question/what-is-the-best-practice-for-weighting-price-versus-technical-merit-in-an-rfp-evaluation/"
        }
    ]
}
```

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "Organization",
    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization",
    "name": "Greeks.Live",
    "url": "https://greeks.live/",
    "description": "Greeks.live is the definitive toolkit for the professional options trader, dedicated to empowering our users with institutional-grade data, advanced analytics, and a comprehensive suite of trading tools designed to provide a decisive edge in the market. Every article and guide published under the Greeks.live name is a product of our deep commitment to data-driven analysis and our mission to support the global trading community.",
    "email": "support@greeks.live",
    "logo": {
        "@type": "ImageObject",
        "url": "https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Greeks.Live-Logo-Icon.svg"
    },
    "hasPart": [
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "About Us",
            "url": "https://about.greeks.live"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "App Download Page",
            "url": "https://about.greeks.live/#/download/basic_trade"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Newcomers' Guide",
            "url": "https://twisty-sign-c8b.notion.site/Guide-for-Greeks-live-X-Deribit-Newbies-5a08a3052822427d800af6eaf3704c8d"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Knowledge Base",
            "url": "https://linktr.ee/greeks.live"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Option Terminology",
            "url": "https://greekslive.notion.site/88dfc00e7c584d4d8969b6302a79a12f?pvs=4"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Terms of Service",
            "url": "https://greeks.live/#/tos"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "name": "Disclaimer",
            "url": "https://greeks.live/#/disclaimer"
        }
    ],
    "sameAs": [
        "https://x.com/greekslive",
        "https://youtube.com/@greeks_live?si=-KjT0Lkw4WUCI0tD",
        "https://t.me/greekslive_notifications",
        "https://t.me/greekslive",
        "https://pinterest.com/greekslive/"
    ],
    "makesOffer": [
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "RFQ Platform",
                "url": "https://rfq.greeks.live",
                "description": "Execute institutional-grade block trades for crypto options and futures. This platform provides deep, over-the-counter (OTC) liquidity via a professional Request for Quote system.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Lending Tools",
                "url": "https://lend.greeks.live",
                "description": "Manage crypto lending and borrowing activities to earn yield or secure loans. This suite of tools helps users analyze interest rates and manage collateralized debt positions.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Data Lab",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/#/deribit/tools/datalab/BTC",
                "description": "Analyze historical and real-time options data with advanced metrics. This tool is designed for backtesting strategies and identifying market trends through comprehensive data visualization.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Profit & Loss Analysis (PnL)",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/#/deribit/tools/pnl_analysis",
                "description": "Track and analyze the Profit and Loss (PnL) of your options portfolio. This tool provides detailed performance metrics to help traders evaluate and refine their strategies.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Position Visualization",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/#/deribit/tools/pv/BTC",
                "description": "Visualize complex options positions and their corresponding risk profiles. This tool generates payoff diagrams to help traders intuitively understand potential profit, loss, and exposure.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Options Calculator",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/#/deribit/tools/calculator",
                "description": "Calculate the theoretical price and risk parameters ('the Greeks') of crypto options. An essential tool for pricing new trades and analyzing the sensitivity of existing positions.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Greeks.live Main Platform",
                "url": "https://greeks.live/",
                "description": "The central hub for the Greeks.live suite of professional cryptocurrency options and derivatives trading tools. Access analytics, manage positions, and explore the ecosystem.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Community Forum",
                "url": "https://t.greeks.live",
                "description": "Join the official Greeks.live community. Connect with other traders, share insights, and receive the latest updates directly from the team.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Greeks.live for Deribit",
                "url": "http://deribit.greeks.live",
                "description": "A dedicated interface for trading on the Deribit exchange. This platform leverages Greeks.live's advanced analytics and tools specifically for users of Deribit's options and futures markets.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "Greeks.live for OKX",
                "url": "http://okx.greeks.live",
                "description": "A dedicated interface for trading on the OKX exchange. This platform integrates Greeks.live's powerful analytics with the OKX marketplace, focusing on its options and derivatives products.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "GLVS.AI Trading Platform",
                "url": "https://www.glvs.ai/",
                "description": "An AI-powered platform for automated crypto options trading. Leverage advanced algorithms and data-driven signals to develop and deploy sophisticated, hands-free trading strategies.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Offer",
            "itemOffered": {
                "@type": "Service",
                "name": "API Testnet & Sandbox",
                "url": "https://test.greeks.live",
                "description": "A dedicated testnet environment for developers to test their API integrations and automated trading strategies. This sandbox allows for full functionality testing without risking real funds.",
                "provider": {
                    "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
                }
            }
        }
    ],
    "subOrganization": [
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "name": "GreeksLive HK Co., Limited",
            "email": "support@greeks.live",
            "telephone": "+852-56418949",
            "address": {
                "@type": "PostalAddress",
                "streetAddress": "Unit 11, 27/F, K. Wah Centre, 191 Java Road",
                "addressLocality": "Hong Kong",
                "addressRegion": "North Point",
                "addressCountry": "CN",
                "postalCode": "0000"
            },
            "geo": {
                "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
                "latitude": "22.2932357",
                "longitude": "114.2022026"
            },
            "image": "https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Wah-Centre-Hong-Kong.jpg"
        }
    ]
}
```

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "Article",
    "mainEntityOfPage": {
        "@type": "WebPage",
        "@id": "https://options.greeks.live/question/what-is-the-best-practice-for-weighting-price-versus-technical-merit-in-an-rfp-evaluation/"
    },
    "headline": "What Is the Best Practice for Weighting Price versus Technical Merit in an RFP Evaluation? \u25b4 Question",
    "description": "A best practice balances price and merit through a weighted, transparent framework that quantifies strategic value beyond initial cost. \u25b4 Question",
    "url": "https://options.greeks.live/question/what-is-the-best-practice-for-weighting-price-versus-technical-merit-in-an-rfp-evaluation/",
    "datePublished": "2025-08-09T14:49:00+00:00",
    "dateModified": "2025-10-30T13:20:16+00:00",
    "articleSection": [
        "Question"
    ],
    "author": {
        "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
    },
    "publisher": {
        "@id": "https://greeks.live/#organization"
    },
    "image": {
        "@type": "ImageObject",
        "url": "https://options.greeks.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/institutional-digital-asset-derivatives-execution-platform-optimizing-liquidity-and-risk-management-through-advanced-protocols.jpg",
        "caption": "This abstract composition illustrates a sophisticated institutional digital asset derivatives ecosystem. A central transparent sphere, embodying dynamic implied volatility and aggregated price discovery, balances on a precision execution rail. This signifies a Principal's commitment to high-fidelity execution and robust risk management for multi-leg spreads and large block trades. The integrated architecture, featuring a prime brokerage gateway and an efficient liquidity pipeline, leverages advanced RFQ protocols for optimal capital efficiency, minimizing slippage and ensuring atomic settlement within a high-performance Crypto Derivatives OS."
    },
    "keywords": [
        "Best Value",
        "Best Value Procurement",
        "Lowest Price Technically Acceptable",
        "Price Weighting",
        "Procurement Models",
        "Public Procurement",
        "RFP Evaluation",
        "RFP Scoring Matrix",
        "Strategic Sourcing",
        "Technical Merit",
        "Total Cost",
        "Total Cost of Ownership",
        "Vendor Selection",
        "Weighted Scoring"
    ]
}
```

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "WebSite",
    "url": "https://options.greeks.live/",
    "potentialAction": {
        "@type": "SearchAction",
        "target": "https://options.greeks.live/?s=search_term_string",
        "query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
    }
}
```


---

**Original URL:** https://options.greeks.live/question/what-is-the-best-practice-for-weighting-price-versus-technical-merit-in-an-rfp-evaluation/
