# Add evaluation criteria

On the Evaluation criteria page in your request for proposal or request for information event, you can set up the criteria to use when scoring and evaluating your event. For your event, you'll want to set an evaluation period and then set an evaluation weight for each section, skipping any unnecessary sections. You can add or edit evaluation criteria from the Evaluation criteria page while the event is in draft, open, or closed status.

{% hint style="info" %} <mark style="color:purple;">**Add evaluators**</mark><mark style="color:purple;">: Use the</mark> <mark style="color:purple;"></mark><mark style="color:purple;">**Share**</mark> <mark style="color:purple;"></mark><mark style="color:purple;">button to add any evaluators to the event. See</mark> [<mark style="color:purple;">Manage evaluators</mark>](/buyers/events/evaluation-and-scoring/manage-evaluators.md)<mark style="color:purple;">.</mark>
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/aF6286dZyA7iv5kEXSlI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Evaluation period <a href="#evaluationperiod" id="evaluationperiod"></a>

Set the open period when evaluators can review and score supplier responses to the event.

#### Generate an evaluation period (auto)

* Click Set **Evaluation Timeline.** By default, the start date is set to the event's Close Date and Close Time, and the end date is 7 days after the Close Date. You can manually adjust the dates and times as needed.

#### Set or edit the evaluation period (manual)

* Enter the start and end time for the evaluation.
  * **Evaluation start date**: Enter the date the evaluation period begins. On this date, evaluators can enter their scoring on the event responses. The date is used with the Evaluation start time and must be after the event's Close Date.
  * **Evaluation start time**: Enter the time the evaluation period begins. At this time, evaluators can enter their scoring on the event responses. The time is used with the Evaluation start date and must be after the event's Close Time.
  * **Evaluation end date**: Enter the date the evaluation period ends. On this date, the event closes for scoring. The date is used with the Evaluation end time.
  * **Evaluation end time**: Enter the time the evaluation period ends. At this time, the event closes for scoring. The time is used with the Evaluation end date.

#### Start evaluation period early

Once your event is closed, you can start the evaluation period early. This option is only available when the event is closed and the evaluation period hasn't begun.

* Click **Start evaluation now**. The evaluation period is started, and the Scoring page is displayed.

  <figure><img src="/files/WAmOR8L3KK5ZsPzlek9r" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Add section weights <a href="#addsectionweights" id="addsectionweights"></a>

For each section of your event that you want scored and evaluated, enter the weighted percent to use when scoring the event. For example, the scores in some sections may be more important than others, so you assign a higher weighted percentage to the more important sections. You can skip any unnecessary sections; however, the **Total Sections Weight** must equal 100%. To quickly distribute the weights across the event, click **Apply Weights Evenly**. You cannot change section weights once the evaluation period begins.

### Add line item weights to a section <a href="#addlineitemweightstoasection" id="addlineitemweightstoasection"></a>

In addition to adding a scoring weight to a section, you can also assign a weight to each line item within a section. For example, the scores for some questions may be more important than others, so you assign a higher weighted percentage to the more important questions. You can skip any unnecessary questions; however, the **Total items weight** must equal 100% for the section.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
For the section, click the **Line level weighting** option.

<figure><img src="/files/3TVEdDKnCHv9xcpSDjEa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Show line items**. A window with the section line items displays.

<figure><img src="/files/iJ4CqJV9YVPBq2ZwFB53" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Enter the weighted percent to use when scoring the event. To quickly distribute the weights across the event, click **Apply Weights Evenly** for the section.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Save**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Add evaluation sections <a href="#addevaluationsections" id="addevaluationsections"></a>

With evaluation-only sections, you can create evaluation sections that will not be sent to the suppliers as part of the event. For example, you might want evaluators to score a supplier's response rate as part of your evaluation.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Click **Add Section**. The Add section window displays.

<figure><img src="/files/n3Reh3GT8tFAZGK33VM5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Enter a **Section name** and click **Add**. A evaluation-only section is added.

<figure><img src="/files/1LII453azITYpwzWH7D9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.fairmarkit.com/buyers/events/evaluation-and-scoring/add-evaluation-criteria.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.