Frequently asked questions

Does the score certify tax compliance?

No: it organises procurement evidence. IRS — Choosing a tax professional supports careful professional selection, but neither an IRS directory nor this scorecard approves a plan.

What if the supplier declines to share confidential client details?

That is not automatically a weakness: ask for anonymised examples and consented references. FTC — Safeguards Rule: What your business needs to know supports treating confidential information carefully throughout diligence.

Can we award four points for a CPA licence?

A licence supports standing, not every criterion. Use NASBA — What is CPAverify? to check status and assess sector fit, technical work and delivery separately.

Should a supplier’s case study receive full credit?

Treat it as supplier evidence and seek proportionate corroboration. Grassi — GVC Construction case study, 26 May 2026 is a useful example of a named, firm-published case, not an independently audited result.

Can a high total compensate for no cash model?

Not when funding is material: the affordability gate remains unresolved. Defined benefit obligations such as those addressed in US Code — Section 430: Minimum funding standards illustrate why cash commitments need their own review.