Project need is the largest single weight in the CIF scoring rubric at 40%. Health-and-safety risk band and condition grade dominate the score. Imminent risk plus a grade D element pushes need close to the ceiling.
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What does ESFA mean by project need?
How are H&S, condition grade and consequence weighted?
Specimen high-scoring need narrative?
How to evidence imminent risk?
Common weak inputs?
Bids that score full marks on need almost always have an HSE-cited imminent-risk band, a FRICS grade D signature, and a consequence-of-failure paragraph that names the affected occupied space.
Common weak inputs: low-or-moderate risk band, partial evidence, and a need narrative that argues from inconvenience rather than physical risk.