| Application and product fit | 20% | Confirm the tubing material, form, dimensions, and finish suit the intended use, such as laboratory equipment, thermal processing, lighting, or fluid handling. | Written product specification; material grade or composition statement; application-specific technical review; confirmation of any required cleanliness or surface condition. | 0 = unsuitable; 3 = fit with open questions; 5 = requirements confirmed in writing. | ____ |
| Dimensional capability | 15% | Check outside diameter, inside diameter or wall thickness, length, straightness, end finish, and tolerances. Ensure the supplier can meet the full drawing, not just nominal dimensions. | Dimensioned drawing or specification; tolerance table; representative inspection report with measured values; sample parts for fit and assembly checks. | 0 = key dimensions unsupported; 3 = capability partly demonstrated; 5 = all critical dimensions verified. | ____ |
| Material and thermal properties | 15% | Verify the stated silica or fused-silica grade and application-relevant properties. Temperature capability, thermal shock resistance, optical transmission, and chemical compatibility vary by grade and product design. | Material certificate or grade declaration; technical data sheet; test data relevant to the application; written operating-condition limits and exclusions. | 0 = grade or limits unclear; 3 = documentation available but incomplete; 5 = grade and relevant properties substantiated. | ____ |
| Quality management and inspection | 15% | Assess documented quality controls, incoming-material checks, in-process inspection, final inspection, nonconformance handling, and corrective-action procedures. | Current quality-system certificate, if applicable; inspection plan; sample inspection records; process-control overview; corrective-action process. Verify certificates with the issuing body where needed. | 0 = no defined controls; 3 = basic controls documented; 5 = relevant controls and records demonstrated. | ____ |
| Traceability and documentation | 10% | Determine whether finished tubing can be linked to production and material records at the level required by your quality system or end-use regulations. | Sample lot or batch records; identification and labeling method; material-document linkage; record-retention policy; certificate format. | 0 = no practical traceability; 3 = partial lot traceability; 5 = traceability demonstrated to the required level. | ____ |
| Production capacity and lead time | 10% | Check available production routes, minimum order quantities, repeat-order capacity, stated lead times, and the supplier’s approach to demand changes. | Written quotation with lead time and order quantity; capacity or scheduling statement; sample production plan; confirmation of repeat-order controls. | 0 = capacity or timing unsubstantiated; 3 = workable but limited flexibility; 5 = capacity and schedule clearly confirmed. | ____ |
| Export packaging and logistics | 5% | Review protection against breakage, contamination, and transit damage, along with export documentation and shipping responsibilities. | Packaging specification or sample; shipping terms in the quotation; export-document checklist; proposed method for handling damage claims. | 0 = major logistics gaps; 3 = standard arrangements; 5 = packaging and export process suited to the shipment. | ____ |
| Technical communication and support | 5% | Evaluate responsiveness and the ability to clarify drawings, tolerances, material selection, sampling, and changes to specifications. | Responses to a technical inquiry; named contact or support process; drawing-review feedback; sample and change-control procedure. | 0 = unclear or unresponsive; 3 = adequate support; 5 = prompt, specific, and documented technical responses. | ____ |
| Commercial and supply risk | 5% | Compare total landed cost, payment and warranty terms, quotation validity, change notification, and continuity plans for critical supply. | Itemized quotation; written commercial terms; warranty and claims process; change-notification policy; supply-continuity information where relevant. | 0 = terms or risks unclear; 3 = acceptable with conditions; 5 = transparent terms and manageable risk. | ____ |