Quality Fee Method (QFM) Framework
Learn about BCA's Quality Fee Method (QFM) framework for public sector consultancy tenders. The enhanced framework introduces new evaluation approaches and weightages.
Last updated 13 March 2026
What is the Quality Fee Method (QFM)?
The Quality Fee Method (QFM) is a structured evaluation framework for selecting consultancy firms (i.e. architectural. civil & structural, mechanical & electrical, quantity surveying, project management) for public sector construction-related consultancy services. The QFM assesses a consultancy firm’s fee and quality proposals, and the firm with the highest combined quality and fee scores is awarded the tender. With higher emphasis on quality evaluation, the QFM encourages consultancy firms to submit comprehensive proposals that demonstrate their technical expertise and project delivery capabilities, and to compete on quality instead of solely on fees.
QFM for Accredited Checking (AC) services
The QFM for Accredited Checking (AC) [QFM(AC)] is specifically designed for Accredited Checking services. QFM(AC) includes an additional "Submission Quality Score" evaluation component due to the specialised nature of Accredited Checking services. Both frameworks share the same core principle of balancing quality and fee considerations, but with different weightage structures to suit their respective service types.
To allow consultants to improve their future tender performance, tenderers for both QFM and QFM(AC) can submit a request in writing to the Government agency publishing the tender for a feedback session regarding their individual tender performance after the tender award.
When to use QFM and QFM(AC)?
QFM applies to:
All public sector construction-related consultancy services tenders exceeding the Quotation limit called under the Public Sector Panels of Consultants (PSPC)
QFM(AC) applies to:
All public sector procurement of Accredited Checking (AC) services through quotations and tenders
Evaluation weightages
QFM Framework
The QFM evaluation combines quality and fee components with flexible weightages based on project requirements:
Component | Weightages |
|---|---|
Quality | 70%-90% |
Fees | 10%-30% (correspondingly) |
QFM(AC) Framework
For Accredited Checking services, the evaluation includes an additional submission quality component:
Component | Weightages |
|---|---|
Quality Score | 40%-60% |
Submission Quality Score | 30% |
Fee | 10%-30% (correspondingly) |
Enhanced QFM Framework (latest version)
BCA has introduced significant enhancements to the QFM framework, applying to all public sector consultancy tenders where the Expression of Interest (EOI) is called on or after 1 December 2025. Key improvements include:
New fee-score approach for QFM tenders with estimated construction costs of $100 million and below
Enhanced framework for temporary suspension of poor performing firms from 1 April 2025
Improved differentiation in quality scoring to better distinguish between proposals (effective since 1 March 2024)
Merit-based shortlisting requirements for more projects instead of balloting (effective since 1 March 2024)
These enhancements strengthen the framework's ability to identify and reward high-quality consultancy proposals whilst maintaining fair competition. For details, please refer to BCA’s circular [PDF, 301 KB].
QFM Framework documents and updates
QFM Framework (Effective 1 Dec 2025) [PDF, 561 KB] - Latest Version
Key Updates in this version:
Most current framework with latest requirements and procedures See section above on “Enhanced QFM Framework (Latest Version)
QFM (AC) Framework documents and updates
QFM (AC) Framework (Effective 6 December 2021) [PDF, 423 KB] - Latest Version
QFM (AC) - information on S-points computation [PDF, 430 KB]
For additional assistance with QFM Framework, contact BCA through our procurement enquiry channels.