Applications are evaluated by a review panel team, including the CREW Project Manager and representatives from the requesting stakeholder organisations who will form part of the Project Steering Group.
Projects are evaluated using the following criteria:
Expectations
| No. | Criteria | Descriptor |
| 1 | Duration | The proposed duration will align closely to the details provided in the anticipated timescales section of the specification. |
| 2 | Staff time and effort | The proposed allocation of staff time and effort is appropriate and includes all deliverables. The proposal must also provide a commitment that named staff members will be available to work on the contract if the bid is successful. |
| 3 | Project costs | The estimated breakdown of project costs is realistic and inclusive of all deliverables. |
Award criteria
| No. | Criteria | Descriptor |
| 1 | Understanding the project ask and policy background | The proposal should include an introduction which demonstrates a clear understanding of the project requirements. This should include an understanding of the policy background and the supporting role of this project; the need for this research; the project aim; and how the proposal will address this aim. |
| 2 | Proposed methodology | The proposal should demonstrate a high quality and workable methodology, including:
to address the key questions and produce the deliverables in the timescales required. It should explain the suitability, robustness and limitations of the proposed methodology. |
| 3 | Milestones | The project milestones are logical, practical and include all deliverables. |
| 4 | Project Management | The staff, resources and expertise are appropriate for conducting the proposed project. The proposal should name the project lead and outline their project management experience. |
| 5 | General and specific topic expertise and experience | The proposal should provide details of individual staff members who will work on this project and demonstrate how they will meet the project requirements, specifically: - general research experience and expertise; - specific experience and expertise on the (INSERT TOPIC). |
| 6 | General communication and deliverables | The proposal should describe the approach to producing the deliverables, which will be published on the CREW website. It should detail who will take lead responsibility for report-writing and overall report quality. It should provide examples of previously (INSERT DELIVERABLES) in which they have been involved. |
| 7 | Quality assurance | The proposal should provide details of quality assurance procedures to demonstrate how the contract will be continuously delivered to a high standard. It should specifically address issues of quality control at different stages of the project, including evidence gathering, analysis and report writing. It should include a timetable for delivery of tasks, project milestones and allocation of staff and staff time against each task, covering the duration of the contract. |
| 8 | Risk | The proposal should provide a risk assessment matrix detailing any risks identified in relation to the delivery of this contract, and proposed mitigation measures to minimise their probability and impact, focused particularly on risk to completion on time. |