# Vendor Comparison Scorecard

Score up to three quotes on the criteria that actually predict delivery, rather than
on price and confidence — which predict almost nothing.

By Tawfik Elsayed — https://tawfikelsayed.tech · WhatsApp +966 54 162 8525

Score each row 0–3. `0` = absent · `1` = claimed · `2` = evidenced · `3` = evidenced with detail.

| # | Criterion | Vendor A | Vendor B | Vendor C |
|---|-----------|----------|----------|----------|
| 1 | Asked about your exceptions and edge cases, not just your happy path | | | |
| 2 | Proposal lists screens and roles, not just modules | | | |
| 3 | Proposal has an explicit exclusions section | | | |
| 4 | Named technical lead, with a background you can verify | | | |
| 5 | Wrote down why this stack, tied to your requirements | | | |
| 6 | Produced a data model or entity list before pricing | | | |
| 7 | Phase one lands in production within 90 days | | | |
| 8 | Checked the API docs of your integrations before quoting | | | |
| 9 | Repository and credentials are yours from day one | | | |
| 10 | Staging environment separate from production | | | |
| 11 | Automated tests on money, stock, and permission flows | | | |
| 12 | Demo cadence of two weeks or better | | | |
| 13 | Warranty period, scope, and response time in writing | | | |
| 14 | Support cost agreed before launch | | | |
| 15 | Reference client you can actually call | | | |
| | **Total (max 45)** | | | |

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## Reading the result

- **A vendor scoring 35+** is prepared. Price differences are now worth discussing.
- **A cheap vendor scoring under 20** is not cheap. The gap gets billed back to you as change requests.
- **A gap of 10+ points between vendors** matters far more than a 20% price difference.
- **Every vendor scoring low** means the brief is the problem, not the market. Fix the brief first.

## The three questions worth asking out loud

1. "Who exactly is the senior engineer accountable for the architecture, and can I meet them?"
2. "If we part ways in month three, what do I have, and can another team continue?"
3. "What in this proposal are you least confident about?" — the answer to this one tells you the most.

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Want an independent read on the quotes in front of you?
https://tawfikelsayed.tech/contact-us · WhatsApp +966 54 162 8525