To convey fairness, at what stage should the scorecard be presented to the contractor?

• A. In a separate meeting after award
• B. In the contract execution phase
• C. During post-award performance review
• D. In the RFP or IFB

Answer: (D)

Fairness in procurement comes from making evaluation criteria and how scores are assigned clear from the start. The scorecard should be included in the RFP or IFB so all bidders know exactly how their proposals will be judged before submitting. This transparency lets bidders tailor their bids to meet the defined criteria and ensures everyone is evaluated against the same standards. If the scoring method or criteria are shared only after award or during later stages, it can appear biased or lead to disputes because bidders didn’t have the same information upfront. By presenting the scorecard at the RFP/IFB stage, you establish a fair, competitive process with clear expectations.