| Product Application Fit | The compressor should match the gas type, inlet pressure, discharge pressure, flow rate, ambient temperature, altitude, and duty cycle. | Completed technical data sheet, performance curve, gas analysis, and operating-condition confirmation. | Compare the supplier's selection calculations with the purchaser's process design conditions. | 20% | A quotation gives only motor power or displacement without confirmed flow and pressure data. |
| Compressor Type and Capacity | The selected reciprocating, rotary screw, centrifugal, or other design should be appropriate for the required pressure ratio and flow stability. | Compressor model specification, rated capacity, pressure range, speed range, and efficiency data. | Check performance at the actual operating point, not only at the maximum rated point. | 12% | Capacity is stated without defining inlet conditions, gas composition, or measurement tolerance. |
| Engine and Driver Compatibility | The engine or motor should provide adequate power at the site's altitude, temperature, fuel quality, and continuous-duty requirements. | Driver datasheet, power curve, fuel-consumption data, coupling details, and derating calculations. | Review available shaft power and starting requirements under worst-case site conditions. | 10% | The supplier cannot explain power margins, derating, or control compatibility. |
| Applicable Standards | The design should identify applicable standards, such as API 618 for reciprocating compressors or API 619 for rotary positive-displacement compressors, where project requirements call for them. | Standards compliance matrix, inspection and test plan, material certificates, and conformity declarations. | Confirm that the cited standard applies to the complete package and not merely to an individual component. | 10% | A supplier lists standards without providing a clause-by-clause compliance statement. |
| Quality Management System | A current ISO 9001 certificate from an accredited certification body, supported by documented production and inspection procedures. | Certificate number, scope, validity period, audit body, quality manual summary, and nonconformance procedure. | Verify the certificate directly through the certification body's public database where available. | 10% | The certificate is expired, has an unclear scope, or belongs to a different legal entity. |
| Factory and Production Capability | The supplier should control critical machining, assembly, balancing, pressure testing, and final inspection processes in-house or through qualified subcontractors. | Factory profile, equipment list, process flow, subcontractor controls, and recent production photographs or videos. | Conduct a live video audit or independent factory inspection before placing a substantial order. | 10% | The trading entity cannot clearly identify the actual manufacturing facility. |
| Testing and Inspection | The package should be tested according to the agreed inspection and test plan, including dimensional, pressure, performance, vibration, and noise checks where applicable. | Factory acceptance test procedure, test reports, calibration certificates, and third-party inspection options. | Require signed test records with instrument identification, test conditions, measured results, and acceptance criteria. | 10% | Only general quality statements are provided; no test procedure or traceable records are available. |
| Materials and Component Traceability | Pressure-containing and safety-critical parts should have traceable material grades, heat numbers, inspection records, and controlled revisions. | Material certificates, part lists, welding records where relevant, and component traceability register. | Match certificates and identification marks against the approved drawings and bill of materials. | 6% | Critical components are described as equivalent without technical justification or traceable records. |
| After-Sales Service and Spare Parts | The supplier should provide operating manuals, recommended spare-parts lists, troubleshooting support, and a defined warranty process. | Warranty terms, spare-parts pricing, response-time commitment, service coverage, and maintenance schedule. | Obtain written service commitments and confirm the availability of technicians or authorized service partners in the destination market. | 7% | Warranty exclusions are broad, spare-parts identification is unclear, or support is available only informally. |
| Commercial Transparency | The quotation should clearly separate equipment price, options, testing, packaging, freight, installation, taxes, and payment conditions. | Itemized quotation, Incoterms, delivery schedule, payment milestones, validity period, and exclusions list. | Compare at least three technically equivalent quotations using the same scope and delivery terms. | 5% | An unusually low initial price is followed by unspecified charges, major exclusions, or frequent scope changes. |