Source: https://www.quantsurv.com/quantity-surveying/subcontractors/supply-chain-procurement-and-quote-comparison
Content format: Markdown version of the public page.
Content reviewed: 2026-10-19

# Supply-chain procurement and quote comparison

For subcontractors

Prepare an enquiry or compare supplier and lower-tier subcontract prices for your package.

## What is it?

We check the scope, exclusions, lead times and commercial qualifications affecting the work you must deliver. Commercial support for one tender package. You can commission tender preparation, administration of the tender period, comparison of returns, or a combination with a separate fee and endpoint for each stage.

Re-tendering, extra returns, design review and appointment negotiations require a separate scope.

## How does it work?

1.  ### You explain the work and the decision you need
    
    You describe your trade package and the contractor who appointed you, the result you need and any urgent dates. The introductory conversation checks fit and availability; substantive assessment starts under an accepted instruction.
    
2.  ### We agree the scope, responsibilities and fee
    
    We check suitability, conflicts and capacity, then agree the scope, deliverables and timetable in writing, with a fixed fee or agreed hourly or daily basis. We explain payment terms, VAT and any separate costs before you accept. We agree which stages you need: enquiry preparation, tender administration or comparison of existing returns. We record the number of packages, returns and clarification rounds. We confirm responsibility for urgent actions and specialist input.
    
3.  ### You accept the scope and provide the information
    
    You accept the written scope and provide the design and work scope, proposed terms, programme, budget, candidate list or quotations already received, and your decision criteria. You identify missing items and the versions supplied; we agree who will obtain anything still needed.
    
4.  ### We check the records and resolve gaps
    
    We check the documents against the agreed scope, dates and versions, raise queries and record the basis on which work can proceed. Missing evidence stays identified; we agree any limited assessment or pause affected work until essential information is available. Live deadlines continue to run.
    
5.  ### We agree the enquiry and comparison basis
    
    We define the materials or lower-tier work you are buying, aligning supply terms, delivery dates and exclusions with your subcontract obligations.
    
6.  ### You approve the tender arrangements
    
    You approve the proposed tender list, information, criteria and timetable before any enquiry is issued. For comparison-only work, you confirm which received quotations and scope we should compare.
    
7.  ### We run the instructed tender stage
    
    If instructed to administer the tender, we issue the approved enquiry, record returns and coordinate queries and authorised clarifications fairly. We keep an issue and amendment record; design decisions remain with the appointed designer.
    
8.  ### We compare and clarify the returns
    
    Where comparison is instructed, we check arithmetic, scope, exclusions, provisional allowances, programme and commercial qualifications. We reconcile differences on a common basis, obtain the agreed clarifications and issue a comparison and recommendation with unresolved risks. Preparation-only work ends with the approved enquiry documents.
    
9.  ### You choose whether and whom to appoint
    
    When choosing a contractor or supplier, you consider the comparison and recommendation alongside technical and suitability advice. The appointment decision belongs to your package manager or authorised business owner; we record outstanding conditions and the final documents needed before commitment.
    
10.  ### We explain the result and complete the handover
     
     We issue the outputs for the tender stages instructed, including the comparison basis, qualifications and recommendation where included, explain the findings and record unresolved items, next actions, owners and dates. We answer the included clarification and correct our errors. New information, changed scope and later stages need a separate agreement; you decide whether to instruct them.
     

We confirm timing after checking the scope and available records. Flag any live deadline when you enquire; it continues to run while information is gathered.

Read [how we agree the scope, fees and instruction](<https://www.quantsurv.com/about#ways-to-work>).

## What do you get?

You receive the outputs for the stages you choose. Each stage has its own scope, fee and endpoint; later stages are optional.

-   Preparation: tender information schedule, commercial enquiry and return requirements.
-   Administration: enquiry, query and return records for the agreed tender period.
-   Comparison: reconciled comparison, qualifications, clarification questions and commercial recommendation.

Each fixed piece of work includes one consolidated clarification round requested within 10 working days of issue, unless agreed otherwise. New records or scope need a separate agreement; we correct our own errors without charge.