Two quotations are comparable only when they describe substantially the same purchasing task. A similar photograph or product name does not establish that the electrical interfaces, supplied parts or testing arrangements are equivalent.
Start by giving each supplier the same brief. Then record what each offer includes, what it excludes and what still needs confirmation. For sourcing in Tianchang and nearby manufacturing areas, 25TC can discuss coordination of this process within an agreed project scope. The supplying entity, technical proposal and quotation are confirmed for the project.
First define what you are buying
“Ozone module” can leave important questions unanswered. State whether the request is for a module only, a power assembly, or a package intended to be supplied and evaluated together. Identify any existing components that must remain in the equipment.
- Module only: ask which power and control arrangement the proposed module requires.
- Power assembly: identify the intended load and the equipment interfaces it must accommodate.
- Matched package: ask the supplier to identify all included parts and the conditions under which the combination is proposed.
Do not assume that two separately quoted components form a compatible package. The supplier must confirm the proposed combination; the buyer must approve the agreed requirements and sample acceptance conditions.
Use a common comparison worksheet
The following is a purchasing worksheet, not a supplier quotation, a model specification or evidence of current availability. Keep unresolved fields marked “not confirmed” rather than filling them with assumptions.
| Comparison item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Proposed model or revision, included assemblies and excluded components. |
| Interfaces | Supply, load, control connections, mounting, space and any agreed cooling arrangements. |
| Performance statement | The conditions, method and evidence supporting the supplier's proposed performance. |
| Sample | Sample configuration, preparation costs, revision allowance and approval process. |
| Checks | What will be checked, by whom, against which criteria, and how results will be recorded. |
| Commercial scope | Currency, quantity basis, packaging, shipping responsibilities, payment assumptions and separate service costs. |
| Schedule | The basis for any proposed dates and the confirmations required before those dates can be agreed. |
Read performance statements with their conditions
A performance figure without its configuration and operating conditions is not a complete comparison. Ask what equipment, environment and test arrangement the statement applies to, and whether the proposed sample will be evaluated on the same basis.
This does not mean replacing supplier technical review with a purchasing checklist. If an interface, operating condition or suitability question remains unresolved, obtain a technical response before treating the offers as equivalent. A photograph cannot settle those questions.
Separate product costs from coordination and third-party work
An offer may include some preparation or checks that another offer lists separately. Compare the same quantity basis and identify sample preparation, customization, packaging, transport, agreed inspections and any third-party testing as distinct items where applicable.
Similarly, distinguish the supplier's offer from a sourcing or coordination service. If you contract directly with a factory, a separate coordination scope can be discussed. In a broader managed arrangement, the contracting parties, payment responsibilities and included work still need written agreement. There is no universal fee or price assumption on this page.
Resolve differences before choosing a sample
Keep a short open-question list for each offer. Ask whether a difference changes the configuration, the sample plan, the acceptance criteria or the commercial responsibilities. A supplier response that changes the proposal should be reflected in a revised comparison, not left only in a message thread.
The lowest quoted total may be a useful starting point for a question; it is not, by itself, evidence that the package is suitable or that all required work is included.
What to send in your first enquiry
- Your equipment application and destination country.
- Whether you need a module, power assembly or proposed matched package.
- Known interfaces and constraints, with undecided items clearly marked.
- Estimated quantity, sample needs and the comparison questions you want answered.
- The regional sourcing or existing-supplier coordination task you want assessed.
Keep the initial message non-confidential. There are no file uploads. Email first if drawings or documents need discussion, and agree how they should be shared before sending them.