Source: [Original HTML page](https://stolenorbit.com/en/templates/ai-vendor-scorecard/)

Language: English

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# AI vendor scorecard

Assess how a partner will deliver and maintain your process, beyond the quality of a demonstration. Use the same questions and trial case for every proposal.

[By Stolen Orbit](https://stolenorbit.com/en/about/) Revision 2026-09-24

## When to use it and what to produce

[Source for this section](https://stolenorbit.com/en/templates/ai-vendor-scorecard/#template-purpose)

When comparing consultants, agencies or AI solutions before choosing an implementation and ongoing support partner.

An evidence-based comparison with explicit conditions and gaps to clarify before a decision.

Fill in the fields below and download your document. The website does not send or save answers: closing the page may lose them. Examples are illustrative and should be replaced with your process data.

[Download the complete blank template (.md)](https://stolenorbit.com/downloads/vendor-scorecard-en.md)

Without JavaScript, download the full template above and complete it in your editor.

## 1\. Align the scope

[Source for this section](https://stolenorbit.com/en/templates/ai-vendor-scorecard/#fit)

Proposals are not comparable when they cover different work. Share an identical brief and ask each supplier to state exclusions and dependencies.

**See a worked example**

Illustrative example: two proposals include an assistant, but one excludes source updates and maintenance. Request equivalent operating scope before comparing them.

**Outcome, systems and deliverables**

List the process, integrations, users, materials and activities each proposal should cover.

**Business and supplier responsibilities**

Specify who prepares data, access, tests, training and operational approvals.

**Exclusions and open conditions**

Record licences, custom work, environments and limits absent from the proposal.

## 2\. Request relevant evidence

[Source for this section](https://stolenorbit.com/en/templates/ai-vendor-scorecard/#evidence)

A reference and a trial on your own case answer different questions. Preserve verifiable evidence rather than inferring capabilities from logos or broad claims.

**See a worked example**

Illustrative example: ask for a case whose answer is absent from the sources. Check whether the system acknowledges this and how the team handles the exception.

**Trial and acceptance criteria**

Define representative cases, critical failures, review effort and access to detailed results.

**Delivery and operating approach**

Ask how versions, permissions, exceptions, monitoring and changes in dependencies are managed.

**Support and available skills**

Record actual delivery roles, agreed coverage, escalation and who will help after release.

## 3\. Compare cost and continuity

[Source for this section](https://stolenorbit.com/en/templates/ai-vendor-scorecard/#decision)

Use the same time horizon and volumes for costs. Treat ownership, exportability and supplier replacement as questions to settle in the applicable documents.

**See a worked example**

Illustrative example: choose a proposal after clarifying access ownership and change costs. A lower initial amount alone does not resolve these differences.

**Initial, recurring and variable costs**

Separate implementation, licences, usage, support, changes and internal effort; identify estimates.

**Access, documentation and exit**

List what must remain accessible: data, configuration, agreed code and operating instructions.

**Evidence, gaps and decision**

Record assessment by criterion, evidence links, unresolved clarifications and the reason for the choice.

## Pitfalls to avoid

[Source for this section](https://stolenorbit.com/en/templates/ai-vendor-scorecard/#template-pitfalls)

-   Comparing price before making scope equivalent.
-   Accepting a selected demonstration as proof of reliability on your data.
-   Leaving support, access to materials and exit arrangements implicit.

[Compare supplier quotes through a reviewable procurement workflow.](https://stolenorbit.com/en/resources/procurement-quote-comparison-workflow/)

[Build or buy AI: compare the complete business process.](https://stolenorbit.com/en/resources/build-or-buy-ai/)

[A useful AI brief describes the work to improve and the tests to pass.](https://stolenorbit.com/en/resources/ai-project-vendor-brief/)

[All templates and tools](https://stolenorbit.com/en/tools/)

[All guides](https://stolenorbit.com/en/resources/)

## Take the next step together.

Use this document to start a discussion about scope, evaluation and project ownership.

Review the text before sending. Only your email is needed alongside the message; other details are optional.

[Contact us](/en/contact/)

## Turn the question into a next step.

-   [How to introduce AI](https://stolenorbit.com/en/resources/how-to-introduce-ai-in-your-business/)
-   [Automation assessment](https://stolenorbit.com/en/automation-assessment/)
-   [AI project vendor brief](https://stolenorbit.com/en/resources/ai-project-vendor-brief/)