Lowest evaluated—not lowest visible
L1 should be identified only after requirements and comparable commercial scope are established.
Buying better · PRACTICAL GUIDE
What is L1 procurement?
L1 means the lowest evaluated price among offers that meet the stated requirements—not simply the smallest number on a quote.
Mandatory compliance first
A non-compliant offer does not become acceptable because its price is low.
Keep the arithmetic
Show the normalised evaluated total and any stated methodology.
Preserve the decision
The record should let a reviewer understand how L1 was determined.
WORKED EXAMPLE · COMPOSITE
Three quotations show ₹95,000, ₹98,000 and ₹101,000. The ₹95,000 offer excludes ₹8,000 freight. After normalisation, it is not L1.