The lowest quoted unit price is meaningful only when the proposals describe the same deliverable. Compare a fixed revision, population variant, quantity and acceptance scope before deciding which offer represents better value. Leave unanswered items marked unresolved instead of treating them as included.
Normalize the configuration first
Write the board revision, BOM revision, variant and delivery unit at the top of the comparison. A bare PCB, a populated board and a tested boxed product are different purchases. Ask each supplier to identify the document set used for the quotation, any proposed changes and every exclusion.
Use a scope comparison matrix
| Line item | What to compare | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Bare boards, parts, mechanical items and purchasing multiples | Who owns excess material and approves substitutions? |
| Assembly | Population, process sequence and handling | Are all variants and required secondary operations included? |
| Verification | Inspection, programming, tests and result records | What does a released unit demonstrably pass? |
| One-time work | Tooling, preparation, fixtures and test development | What can be reused and what triggers a new charge? |
| Delivery | Packaging, shipment split and agreed commercial basis | Which transport or import-related costs remain outside the offer? |
Separate recurring and one-time costs
For your own comparison, use: comparable build total = recurring unit charges × ordered quantity + applicable setup and engineering charges + separately quoted materials and delivery items. Count each cost once. If materials are already included in the unit charge, do not add them again. Record the currency and quotation validity alongside the calculation.
A lower unit rate can still have a higher initial commitment when it requires extra material purchases or a larger release quantity. Show unused stock and optional work separately. Compare several quantity scenarios using the same scope rather than assuming that a price reduction is a guaranteed production saving.
Compare the assumptions behind each date
Ask what starts the quoted lead time. Possible dependencies include approved files, material arrival, fixture readiness, first-build approval and commercial release. A date based on all materials being available is different from a date that includes procurement. Record unresolved dependencies and ask what happens if they move.
Close exceptions before choosing
Send a consolidated clarification list to each candidate. Record whether a response changes the price, scope or schedule. Keep the final accepted offer with the released technical package so later changes can be compared against an agreed baseline. Ask how nonconforming units, rework, retest and remaining inventory will be handled.
The planning estimator uses illustrative parameters and is not a supplier quotation. Use it to explore assumptions, then prepare the RFQ package for a project-specific proposal. The turnkey and consigned comparison helps assign material responsibilities.
Turn the checklist into a project inquiry
Share the product stage, requested deliverable, quantity and unresolved decisions. Start with the files you have and identify what still needs review.