How are the ITB scoring factors weighted?

Project fit and margin potential carry the highest weight (20% each) because they have the most impact on whether the project will be profitable. GC relationship, crew capacity, deadline, and travel are weighted at 15% each — important but secondary to fit and margin.

What score means I should accept the ITB?

A score above 70% is an Accept — pursue with full estimating effort. Between 45-70% is Consider — look at which factors scored low and whether you can improve them. Below 45% is a Decline — respond to the GC promptly but save your capacity.

Should I score every invitation to bid?

Yes. Even experienced estimators benefit from making the accept/decline decision explicit. It takes 2 minutes and prevents the most common mistake — accepting every ITB and spreading estimating resources too thin across poor-fit opportunities.

How is this different from the Bid/No-Bid Scorecard?

The Bid/No-Bid Scorecard evaluates a bid opportunity you found. The ITB Tracker evaluates incoming invitations from GCs — the factors are weighted toward the GC relationship and response deadline, which matter more when someone invites you to bid.

ITB Accept/Decline Tracker | Free Sub Bid Scoring Tool

The ITB Accept/Decline Tracker helps subcontractors evaluate incoming GC invitations to bid across 6 weighted factors: relationship quality, project fit, margin potential, crew capacity, deadline feasibility, and travel distance. It produces an accept, consider, or decline recommendation.

Score This Invitation to Bid

GC Name

General contractor sending the ITB

Project Name

Name or description of the project

GC Relationship Quality

1 = unknown GC, 5 = long-term reliable partner

1 (Low)35 (High)

Project Fit

1 = outside core trades, 5 = ideal scope and crew size

1 (Low)35 (High)

Margin Potential

1 = price-shopped commodity, 5 = negotiated specialty scope

1 (Low)35 (High)

Crew Capacity

1 = fully committed, 5 = crew available for timeline

1 (Low)35 (High)

Bid Deadline

1 = due tomorrow, 5 = plenty of time to price accurately

1 (Low)35 (High)

Travel / Location

1 = outside service area, 5 = core territory

1 (Low)35 (High)

Recommendation

RecommendationConsider

Weighted Score3.0 / 5.0

Score Percentage60%

Strongest FactorGC Relationship Quality (3/5)

Weakest FactorGC Relationship Quality (3/5)

Borderline opportunity. Review the weakest factors — can you negotiate better terms or mitigate risks?

Example

An electrical sub receives an ITB from a familiar GC for a school renovation 30 miles away, due in 10 days. The scope fits their core work but crew is tight.

GC Relationship Quality4/5 — familiar, reliable GC

Project Fit5/5 — core electrical scope

Margin Potential3/5 — competitive but fair

Crew Capacity2/5 — crew is stretched thin

Bid Deadline3/5 — 10 days is workable

Travel / Location3/5 — 30 miles, edge of range

Score3.4 / 5.0 (68%) — Consider

How to Use This Tool

1Enter the GC name and project name for your reference.
2Rate each of the 6 factors on a 1-5 scale using the sliders.
3Review the weighted score and color-coded recommendation.
4Use the strongest/weakest factor callout to guide your response to the GC.

How to Apply the Results

Accept recommendations mean commit full estimating effort. Consider means review the weakest factors — can you negotiate scope or timeline? Decline means respond promptly to the GC but save your capacity for better-fit opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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ITB Accept / Decline Tracker

Score This Invitation to Bid

Recommendation

How to Use This Tool

How to Apply the Results

Frequently Asked Questions

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