Rating & Duty
Confirm standby, prime or continuous duty; kW/kVA, power factor, voltage, frequency and starting-load assumptions.
LIKE-FOR-LIKE COMPARISON
COMPARE THE SAME MACHINE BEFORE YOU COMPARE THE PRICE.
A lower quotation is only cheaper if it is based on the same duty, critical components, site conditions, test scope, warranty and commercial boundary. Normalize the specification first. Then compare price.
NOT COMPARABLE
Different basis or critical scope
OPEN
Missing information must be clarified
COMPARABLE
Technical and commercial basis aligned
01 · NORMALIZE THE BASIS
Before price, align what each supplier is actually quoting.
The goal is not to force every supplier to use the same brand. The goal is to make the important buying assumptions visible enough that the buyer can judge whether the quotations represent equivalent risk and value.
Critical BOM
Fix the engine, alternator, controller, inverter or AVR, breaker and other components that materially affect performance, service and cost.
Site Basis
Normalize ambient temperature, altitude, enclosure, noise, ventilation and other site conditions that can change usable output.
Included Scope
Separate what is included, optional, excluded or supplied by others: ATS, batteries, silencers, tanks, cables, installation items and accessories.
Test & Acceptance
Align FAT scope, load level, readings, tolerances, inspection points and what evidence is required before release.
After-sales Basis
Compare warranty period, exclusions, spare parts, consumables, manuals, service response and documentation readiness.
02 · WHY THE LOWEST PRICE CAN BE MISLEADING
A price gap often hides a scope gap.
When quotations are not normalized, the buyer may be comparing different duty ratings, component levels, site assumptions or excluded items without realizing it.
Lower rating basis
Standby may be quoted against a prime-duty requirement.
Lower component level
Equivalent wording may hide a different alternator, controller, AVR or engine platform.
Lower site basis
A 40°C package can appear cheaper than a 50°C requirement.
Optional scope
ATS, accessories, batteries, silencers or spares may be excluded from the headline price.
Reduced FAT
Basic running test is not the same as an agreed load and acceptance test.
Weaker after-sales basis
Warranty, spare-parts support and documentation may not be equivalent.
03 · EXAMPLE COMPARISON
Same headline power. Different buying risk.
This is a representative comparison structure, not a real project quotation.
Criteria
Supplier A
Supplier B
Supplier C
Status
Rating basis
Prime
Standby
Standby
NO
Engine
Defined
Defined
Equivalent
OPEN
Alternator
Specified
Specified
Unclear
OPEN
Cooling basis
50°C
40°C
Standard
NO
ATS
Included
Optional
Not stated
NO
FAT scope
Defined
Basic
Not stated
NO
Spares
Defined
Partial
Not stated
NO
Warranty path
Defined
Defined
Open
OPEN
Supplier A
Prime rating · 50°C cooling · ATS included · FAT defined · spares defined
BASELINESupplier B
Standby rating · 40°C cooling · ATS optional · basic FAT · partial spares
NOT LIKE-FOR-LIKESupplier C
Standby rating · standard cooling · ATS not stated · FAT not stated · warranty open
CLARIFY FIRST04 · COMMERCIAL NORMALIZATION
The technical basis is only half of a fair comparison.
A quotation can be technically close but still commercially different because the scope boundary, payment basis, delivery terms or warranty responsibilities are not aligned.
PRICE BASISEXW / FOB / CIF / delivered?
Compare on the same Incoterm and currency basis.
PAYMENTDeposit and balance terms
Cash-flow differences can materially change the commercial value.
LEAD TIMEProduction vs delivery promise
Clarify when the clock starts and what is included in the stated lead time.
EXCLUSIONSWhat is not in the price?
Installation items, accessories, testing, packaging or documentation may be extra.
WARRANTYCoverage and responsibility
Compare duration, exclusions, parts, labor and claim handling.
SPARESInitial and long-term support
Clarify recommended spares, consumables and replenishment availability.
05 · BUYER DECISION OUTPUT
The final comparison should show what changed the decision.
01Comparable Items
Where suppliers are aligned enough for direct commercial comparison.
02Technical Deviations
Where configuration, rating, site basis or test scope changes the buying risk.
03Commercial Gaps
Where inclusions, exclusions, payment, delivery or warranty are not equivalent.
04Clarifications Required
What must be answered before the buyer can make a fair award decision.
05Adjusted Comparison
What the quotations look like after missing or optional scope is normalized.
06Award Recommendation
Which offer provides the best fit after risk, evidence and total buying basis are considered.