80/20 and 90/10 preference points explained

After a bid passes the paperwork and functionality stages, it is scored out of 100 points. Most of the points are for price; the rest are for "specific goals" that the buyer chooses, such as B-BBEE status or local ownership.

Which system is used

• 80/20: 80 points for price and 20 for specific goals. Used for most contracts up to R50 million.
• 90/10: 90 points for price and 10 for specific goals. Used for bigger contracts above R50 million.
• The tender document always says which system it uses and how the specific goal points are given.

A simple example

On an 80/20 tender, the lowest price gets the full 80 price points. A bid 10% more expensive gets fewer price points. If that more expensive bidder scores 20 out of 20 on specific goals and the cheapest bidder scores 0, the more expensive bid can still win. That is why valid proof of your specific goals matters.

Tip

Read the specific goals table in each tender: buyers now choose their own goals, and you must attach the proof they ask for to claim the points.