| 1 | Applicable Product Standards | Mill certificates, product datasheets, and the exact standard stated on quotations and inspection documents. | Common references include ASTM A500/A500M for cold-formed welded and seamless carbon structural tubing and EN 10219 for cold-formed welded structural hollow sections. | 15% |
| 2 | Steel Grade and Chemical Control | Heat number, chemical composition report, ladle analysis, and confirmation of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and other specified elements. | The chemical limits must match the selected grade and the applicable purchasing standard; values should be verified against the original mill test certificate. | 12% |
| 3 | Mechanical Properties | Tensile-test reports showing yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation for the ordered grade and heat. | Acceptance values depend on the chosen grade and standard. For example, ASTM A500 Grade B commonly specifies a minimum yield strength of 46 ksi and tensile strength of 58 ksi. | 12% |
| 4 | Dimensional Accuracy | Inspection records for outside dimensions, wall thickness, corner radius, squareness, straightness, and length. | Permitted tolerances must be assessed against the selected standard, size range, and agreed purchase specification rather than against an unsupported universal percentage. | 12% |
| 5 | Weld Quality and Forming Process | Production-flow description, welding procedure, weld inspection records, and samples showing consistent corners and weld seams. | The supplier should demonstrate controlled forming and welding processes, with inspection criteria defined in the contract or applicable standard. | 10% |
| 6 | Surface Condition and Protection | Photos of finished products, surface-treatment specification, coating or galvanizing records, and packaging method. | Black, oiled, painted, galvanized, and other finishes should be clearly identified; galvanized products require an agreed coating-mass or thickness requirement. | 8% |
| 7 | Testing and Inspection Capability | Calibration certificates, laboratory equipment list, test procedures, inspection plan, and availability of independent third-party inspection. | Testing should be traceable to calibrated equipment and performed according to the relevant product standard or agreed inspection plan. | 10% |
| 8 | Traceability and Documentation | Heat-number traceability from raw material to finished bundle, material test certificates, packing list, and inspection report. | A reliable supply chain should connect each bundle or batch to its production records and original material certificate. | 8% |
| 9 | Production Capacity and Lead Time | Confirmed monthly capacity, available sizes, minimum order quantity, production schedule, and historical delivery records for comparable orders. | Capacity should be validated for the exact dimensions, wall thickness, finish, and quantity required; avoid relying only on general factory claims. | 7% |
| 10 | Commercial and Export Reliability | Quotation clarity, payment terms, Incoterms, packing details, export documents, complaint process, and references from comparable international orders. | Compare total landed cost, documentation accuracy, response time, warranty terms, and corrective-action capability—not price alone. | 6% |