Every CRO selection guide says the same thing: build a weighted matrix. Nobody gives you one that works. This scorecard comes pre-loaded with the ten criteria that decide real programs, each with a practitioner hint on how to score it. Adjust the weights to your program, score your shortlist, and the ranked result updates live. Your scoring never leaves your browser.
| Criterion | Weight | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Scientific and modality fit Have they run this study type on this molecule class, recently? | ||||
Quality system (GLP/GMP) and inspection history Non-negotiable for pivotal work. Ask for the last inspection outcome. | ||||
Timeline and slot availability The best CRO you can never book is not the best CRO. | ||||
Cost against comparable bids Score the normalized bid, not the headline number. | ||||
Quote transparency (pass-throughs, change orders) Vague quotes become expensive studies. | ||||
Responsiveness and communication How they behave during bidding is the best preview of the study. | ||||
Team depth and capacity One named study director or a real team behind them? | ||||
Data ownership and reporting standards You own raw data and methods. Report format should fit your filing. | ||||
References from comparable sponsors Two calls with past sponsors of similar size tell you a lot. | ||||
Geography, logistics, and time zones Sample shipping, site visits, and meeting hours all have a cost. | ||||
| Weighted result | - | - |
Score 1 to 5 per criterion; the result is weight-adjusted, and unscored criteria are left out of a CRO's percentage so partial scoring stays fair. Everything stays in your browser. Shortlist candidates from the supplier directory, then compare quotes from the ones that score well.
Common questions
What criteria should I use to select a CRO?
Ten criteria cover most decisions: scientific and modality fit, quality system status, timeline and slot availability, normalized cost, quote transparency, communication, team depth, data ownership terms, sponsor references, and logistics. The scorecard pre-loads all ten with sensible weights you can change.
How does the weighting work?
Each criterion has a weight from 1 to 5 and each CRO gets a score from 1 to 5 per criterion. The result is the weighted sum shown as a percentage of the maximum possible. Criteria you have not scored yet are left out of that CRO's percentage, so a partially scored card stays fair.
Should price be the deciding factor?
Rarely on its own. A 2 to 3x quote spread is normal, and the cheapest bid often excludes pass-throughs or carries a distant start slot. Score cost against normalized bids (the Quote Comparison Grid does that part) and let the weighted total decide.
Is my scoring uploaded anywhere?
No. Scores live in your browser's local storage only, so you can shortlist candidly. Export to CSV when you want to share the result with your team.
Where do I find CROs worth scoring?
The BioBridgeX supplier directory lists vetted CROs and CDMOs with their services, stages, and compliance status in public. Shortlist from there, then post your project once and compare structured quotes from the ones that fit.
Use it with the rest of the toolkit
Write the request with the RFP Generator, normalize the bids in the Quote Comparison Grid, and sanity-check prices against the IND Budget Calculator. The thinking behind the criteria is in how to choose a CRO.