Create a structured vendor evaluation framework for any procurement decision. Use when asked to evaluate vendors, compare suppliers, run an RFP scoring process, or assess a software or service provider. Produces a weighted scorecard, evaluation criteria, and recommendation framework.
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Use vendor-evaluation to produce a weighted 100% scorecard and recommendation framework for [what we are procuring] across [vendors], using [decision criteria, budget, decision makers, and timeline]; include risks, negotiation conditions, reference questions, and runner-up rationale.
Required inputs
[what we are procuring]
[vendors]
[decision criteria, budget, decision makers, and timeline]
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SKILL.md
name: vendor-evaluationdescription: "Create a structured vendor evaluation framework for any procurement decision. Use when asked to evaluate vendors, compare suppliers, run an RFP scoring process, or assess a software or service provider. Produces a weighted scorecard, evaluation criteria, and recommendation framework."
Vendor Evaluation Skill
Produces a structured vendor evaluation framework — from defining criteria through to a scored comparison and recommendation.
Required Inputs
What you are procuring
Vendors being evaluated (minimum 2)
Key decision criteria (if known)
Decision makers
Budget range
Timeline to decide
Output Structure
1. Evaluation Criteria and Weights
Category
Weight
Rationale
Functional fit
[%]
Does it do what we need?
Commercial terms
[%]
Price, flexibility, payment
Implementation
[%]
How hard to get started?
Support and SLA
[%]
What happens when things go wrong?
Security and compliance
[%]
Meets regulatory requirements?
Vendor stability
[%]
Will this company exist in 3 years?
References
[%]
Who else uses this?
Weights must total 100%.
2. Scoring Rubric
5: Exceeds requirements — clear best-in-class
4: Meets requirements — fully satisfies with minor gaps
Functional: Walk through [most critical use case]. What can your product not do that customers ask for?
Commercial: What is included vs add-ons? Contract minimum term and notice period? Price protection at renewal?
Implementation: Typical implementation for our size? What do you need from our team?
Support: SLA for critical issues? Support included vs charged extra?
Security: ISO 27001 / SOC 2 certified? Where is data stored? Breach notification process?
5. Reference Check Questions
How long using [vendor]? Implementation surprises? Support responsiveness? One thing you wish you had known? Would you choose them again?
6. Recommendation
Recommended vendor: [Name] | Score: [X/5]
Rationale: [Specific strengths that matter for this decision]
Key risks: [Risk and mitigation]
Conditions: [Contract terms to negotiate before signing]
Runner-up: [Vendor and why they lost]
Quality Checks
Evaluation criteria weights total 100%
Scoring rubric is defined before scoring vendors (not post-hoc)
Reference check questions are included
Recommendation includes risks and conditions, not just a winner
Runner-up rationale explains why they lost (enables future conversations)
Contract terms to negotiate are specified
Anti-Patterns
Do not weight all evaluation criteria equally — the scorecard must reflect the relative importance of each criterion
Do not evaluate vendors only on features — security, support, contract terms, and financial stability matter too
Do not produce a recommendation without explaining why the runner-up lost — this enables future vendor conversations
Do not skip contract terms to negotiate — identifying leverage points is part of the procurement decision
Do not recommend a vendor without stating the conditions under which the recommendation would change
Example Trigger Phrases
"Help me evaluate vendors for [procurement]"
"Create a vendor scorecard for [software/service]"
"Compare [Vendor A] vs [Vendor B] for [use case]"
vendor-evaluation by mohitagw15856 · The Skill Leaderboard