What is CQS (Selection Based on Consultants’ Qualifications)?

CQS stands for Selection Based on Consultants’ Qualifications, also written as Consultants’ Qualifications Selection. It is a streamlined method for choosing a consulting firm: instead of running a full scored competition among a shortlist, the borrower selects the firm whose qualifications and relevant experience best fit the assignment. It is meant for small assignments, where a lighter process is proportionate to the value and complexity of the work.

Because there is no scored contest of technical and financial proposals, CQS turns on a single document: the expression of interest. The borrower compares the experience and qualifications that firms present, selects the best-qualified firm, and asks only that firm to submit a proposal and negotiate the contract.

1. The borrower, the government agency running the project, prepares the terms of reference (ToR) for the assignment.
2. It advertises the assignment and requests expressions of interest (EOI), asking firms to describe their relevant experience and qualifications. Banks usually expect information from at least three firms.
3. The borrower evaluates the submissions on how relevant each firm’s experience and qualifications are to the ToR.
4. The firm with the most relevant experience and the most suitable qualifications is selected.
5. Only that firm is invited to submit a combined technical and financial proposal in a single envelope.
6. The borrower and the selected firm negotiate the contract, covering the methodology, work plan, staffing, and price.

CQS is reserved for small assignments, where running a full QCBS competition would cost more time and money than the work justifies. Each bank sets a monetary threshold, and CQS may be used only for assignments valued below it.

• The World Bank permits CQS under its Procurement Framework for small consulting assignments, where preparing and evaluating full proposals from a shortlist is not warranted.
• The Asian Development Bank uses CQS for consulting assignments of limited value and complexity.
• It suits well-defined, short assignments, such as a focused study, a specialist review, or a small advisory task.

The exact threshold and rules are set by the bank and stated in the project’s procurement plan. Always confirm which method applies before you prepare, because it changes what you submit and how you are chosen.

Under CQS, selection rests entirely on qualifications and experience, so the borrower looks for evidence that your firm has already done closely comparable work.

• Relevant experience on similar assignments, ideally in the same sector and of comparable scope.
• Experience in the country or region where the assignment will be carried out.
• The qualifications and track record of the key experts the firm would deploy.
• The firm’s overall standing and core areas of expertise.
• Clear, specific, verifiable references to past work rather than general claims.

CQS and QCBS are both consultant selection methods, but they differ in how much competition and scoring is involved and in the size of assignment they fit.

• In QCBS, a shortlist of firms all submit full technical and financial proposals, which are scored and combined into a weighted ranking, with price forming part of the score. In CQS, firms submit only their qualifications, and no combined score is calculated.
• Under QCBS every shortlisted firm prepares a full proposal. Under CQS only the single best-qualified firm is asked to prepare a proposal, and only after it has already been selected.
• QCBS introduces price competition; CQS does not, so the selected firm’s price is settled in negotiation rather than by comparison with rivals.
• QCBS is the default for larger or complex assignments; CQS is reserved for small ones below a bank threshold.

Because selection happens at the expression-of-interest stage, your EOI is the whole contest. Treat it as the decisive submission, not a formality.

• Lead with directly relevant assignments: the same sector, a similar scope, and a comparable client.
• Name the key experts you would assign and put their qualifications up front.
• Show country or regional experience wherever the ToR values local knowledge.
• Be specific: give the assignment, client, value, and dates for each reference, not general statements.
• Address the ToR point by point so the evaluator can see the fit quickly.
• Stay within any page or format limits in the notice; a focused EOI beats a padded one.