Partial Evaluation in Procurement Law 2026 – Bid Evaluation by Criteria

Definition: Partial evaluation refers to the evaluation of an individual award criterion or group of criteria as part of the overall bid evaluation. Each bid is assigned a score or value for that criterion, which is multiplied by the weighting of the criterion and contributes to the overall result.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal status: Art. 67 Directive 2014/24/EU, § 127 GWB, § 58 VgV, § 19 VOB/A, § 2 BVergG 2018

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What is partial evaluation?

Partial evaluation is the disaggregated evaluation level within a multi-criteria bid evaluation and shows how a bid performs on a particular award criterion. The overall evaluation of a bid results from the sum of all weighted partial evaluations. Transparent partial evaluations are a central requirement of procurement law, since they make it possible to trace and review the award decision.

Relationship to award criteria and sub-criteria

Each award criterion and, where applicable, each sub-criterion receives a partial evaluation determined according to a transparent method established in advance. The weighting of the individual criteria must be published in the notice or the procurement documents (Art. 67 (5) Directive 2014/24/EU). Sub-criteria may specify the award criteria, but must not introduce new, unannounced evaluation aspects through the back door.

Evaluation methods for partial evaluations

Various recognised methods are used to determine partial evaluations:

• Points scale: Each bid is assigned a score between 0 and 10 (or 0 and 100), often with a verbal description of the points levels
• Relative price evaluation: The cheapest price receives the full score; other bids receive proportionally fewer points (e.g. cheapest price / own price × maximum score)
• Ranking: Bids are ranked per criterion; the placement determines the score
• Binary evaluation: Met / not met (for pass/fail criteria)

Transparency requirements

The evaluation method for each partial evaluation must be described so clearly that informed bidders can identify how their performance information is converted into points. Unclear or subsequently specified evaluation matrices are unlawful under procurement law. The procurement review body and courts have repeatedly ruled that evaluation schemes must already be sufficiently concretely set out in the procurement documents.

Documentation

Each partial evaluation must be reasoned in the procurement file. This is particularly so for qualitative criteria (e.g. quality of concept, project management) where the contracting authority has a margin of appreciation. The procurement review body reviews partial evaluations within the limited control standard available to it for errors in the exercise of discretion, not for their substantive correctness in detail.

FAQ

May the contracting authority still change the evaluation method after bid opening? No. The evaluation method must be established and documented before bid opening. Subsequent changes infringe the transparency principle.

Can bidders inspect the partial evaluation of their bid? After the contract award, unsuccessful bidders receive, on request, information on the essential characteristics and advantages of the successful bid. A detailed partial evaluation matrix of all bidders may be disclosed in review proceedings.

What if two bids receive the same score on the partial evaluation? The overall evaluation across all partial evaluations decides. In the case of a tie in the overall score, the contracting authority may apply tie-break rules established in advance or – if permissible – let the lot decide.

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Last updated: January 2026 All information without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in procurement law.