The verdict in three sentences
A corporate RFP is won or lost on the weighted scorecard, not on the impression from the last meeting. Weight technical 40%, design 25%, price 20%, references 15% and require SLA and GDPR clauses from the brief onward. Target 40,000 to 90,000 EUR, 3 to 5 candidates and a 6-week consultation.
The weighted scorecard
Procurement/IT must compare comparable agencies. Here is the ready-to-use 2026 grid.
| Criterion | Weight | What you assess |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | 40% | Stack, CMS, security, accessibility |
| Design | 25% | Art direction, UX, mockups |
| Price | 20% | Total cost, support, transparency |
| References | 15% | Comparable cases, sector, size |
| Total | 100% | Score out of 100 |
Price weighs only 20%: in a corporate project, the cheapest is rarely the best value. An agency 15% cheaper but without security expertise will cost you far more in post-live incidents.
Target budget and clauses to require
Frame budget and contract before receiving offers. 2026 benchmarks:
| Element | 2026 benchmark | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Target budget | 40,000 - 90,000 EUR | Filters out-of-range bidders |
| Number of candidates | 3 to 5 | Useful comparison, no overload |
| Consultation window | 6 weeks | Time for serious responses |
| SLA uptime | 99.9% | Service continuity |
| GDPR clause | Mandatory | Legal compliance |
| Reversibility | Required | Exit without lock-in |
| Post-live support | 12-24 months | Maintain security/SEO |
Requiring a reversibility clause avoids the trap of a vendor you can no longer leave. Without it, switching agencies in 3 years costs a full rebuild.
Mini case study
Thomas, IT buyer at an industrial group in Dublin, launches a consultation for a 65,000 EUR site. He shortlists 4 agencies and applies the grid: agency A scores 88/100 (technical 36, design 22, price 15, references 15), the cheaper agency B scores 79/100 (technical 28, design 20, price 20, references 11). Despite a 12% higher price, agency A wins on its technical and security lead. Over 4 years, the 8,000 EUR premium is absorbed in year one by the absence of security incidents, estimated at 15,000 EUR with a less-equipped vendor.
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FAQ
Why not weight price at 40%?
Because a badly built corporate site costs far more in incidents, rebuilds and reputational loss than the initial price gap. At 20%, price stays a serious criterion without becoming the only one.
How many candidates should I shortlist?
Three to five. Below that, the comparison lacks perspective; above it, analysis becomes time-consuming and serious agencies decline overly open consultations.
Which clauses are non-negotiable?
SLA uptime 99.9%, GDPR compliance and reversibility. Without reversibility, you are locked to the vendor and a future exit costs a full rebuild.
How much time for the consultation?
Six weeks minimum. Below that, agencies respond hastily or decline, and you lose the best candidates.
How do I score references?
Assess cases comparable in sector, size and complexity. A consumer e-commerce reference proves nothing for a corporate site with governance and multilingual needs.
Let's scope your project. Send us your brief or criteria grid: we respond with a costed offer, sector references and SLA/GDPR clauses. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
