The process described is a weighting system, a quantitative source selection analysis method. In this technique, the program team establishes a set of evaluation criteria (the "categories") and assigns a numerical weight to each based on its relative importance. Vendors are then scored against each criterion (assigned "points"). The final score is calculated by multiplying the score by the weight for each criterion and summing the results. This provides an objective, rankable basis for comparing proposals and selecting the most suitable vendor, aligning the choice with the program's strategic objectives and priorities.

A. Benefit-cost analysis: This is a financial tool used to compare the expected benefits of an option against its costs, typically expressed as a ratio, not a multi-criteria scoring system.

B. Screening system: This is a preliminary filter that establishes pass/fail criteria to weed out vendors who do not meet minimum requirements before a more detailed evaluation.

D. Preferred vendor list: This is a list of pre-qualified suppliers from which a selection might be made; it is not the evaluation method itself.

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1. Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). Section 12.2.2.5 Source Selection Analysis

p. 487. The guide explicitly defines a weighting system as a method to "assign a numerical score to each of the seller proposals" based on weighted selection criteria.

2. Project Management Institute. (2017). The Standard for Program Management (4th ed.). Section 5.5

Program Procurement Management

pp. 97-100. This section discusses the need for consistent and effective procurement processes at the program level

for which tools like weighting systems are essential for making objective

benefit-oriented decisions.

3. Ho

W.

Xu

X.

& Dey

P. K. (2010). Multi-criteria decision making approaches for supplier evaluation and selection: A literature review. European Journal of Operational Research

202(1)

16–24. This academic review discusses various supplier selection methods

identifying the weighted scoring method as a fundamental and widely used multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2009.05.009