| Product Configuration Accuracy | 15% | Confirm that the supplied board configuration matches the required V5+ hardware revision, connector layout, sensor configuration, memory configuration, and mechanical dimensions. | The supplier provides dated product photographs, a complete technical datasheet, dimensional drawings, and a written confirmation of the exact hardware revision before ordering. | Technical datasheet, sample inspection report, product photographs, dimensional drawing, approved reference sample. | 1–5 |
| Firmware and Software Compatibility | 12% | Check compatibility with the required open-source flight-control firmware, bootloader process, parameter files, calibration workflow, and ground-control software. | The supplier can demonstrate successful firmware installation, sensor calibration, parameter backup and restoration, and basic communication through the required interfaces. | Firmware test video, compatibility statement, test log, parameter file, release or revision record. | 1–5 |
| Electrical and Interface Verification | 10% | Verify power input requirements, regulated outputs, serial ports, CAN connectivity, I2C connectivity, PWM outputs, USB access, and connector pin assignments. | Pinout documentation is complete and consistent with the supplied board. Electrical limits are stated clearly, and no interface is described only with vague terms such as “high performance.” | Pinout diagram, schematic extract, electrical test report, interface checklist, sample wiring harness. | 1–5 |
| Manufacturing and Soldering Quality | 12% | Inspect PCB finish, component placement, solder joints, connector alignment, conformal coating if required, and workmanship consistency between samples. | Production controls are documented. For professional procurement, workmanship should be assessed against an applicable IPC-A-610 acceptance class agreed in the purchase specification. | Factory audit report, assembly photographs, first-article inspection report, IPC workmanship criteria, defect records. | 1–5 |
| Quality-Control Process | 12% | Review incoming inspection, in-process testing, functional testing, final inspection, calibration control, and nonconforming-product handling. | Every unit or production batch has a traceable inspection record. Critical tests are defined with pass/fail limits rather than informal visual inspection only. | Quality-control plan, inspection checklist, test fixture photographs, calibration certificates, corrective-action records. | 1–5 |
| Traceability and Documentation | 8% | Determine whether the supplier can trace boards, components, firmware versions, production dates, and inspection results. | Serial numbers, lot numbers, production dates, and firmware or hardware revisions can be linked to the relevant inspection and shipment records. | Traceability sample, serial-number format, batch record, packing list, revision-control procedure. | 1–5 |
| Compliance Documentation | 8% | Check material and market-entry requirements relevant to the destination country, including restricted substances and importer documentation. | For applicable markets, the supplier can provide a valid RoHS declaration and relevant REACH material information. Documentation should identify the product scope and issue date. | RoHS declaration, REACH statement, material declaration, safety data where applicable, compliance test report. | 1–5 |
| Sample and Pilot-Run Capability | 8% | Evaluate sample availability, engineering communication, modification handling, pilot-run control, and the supplier’s response to test failures. | A qualified supplier supports a documented sample approval process and can reproduce the approved configuration during a small pilot run. | Sample order record, engineering-change procedure, pilot-run report, corrective-action response, approval checklist. | 1–5 |
| Production Capacity and Lead Time | 6% | Confirm realistic monthly capacity, component availability, standard lead time, peak-season risks, and production scheduling. | Capacity and lead-time commitments are supported by a production schedule and are separated clearly into component procurement, assembly, testing, and shipping time. | Capacity statement, production plan, lead-time quotation, component availability confirmation, shipment history. | 1–5 |
| Commercial Terms and Total Cost | 5% | Compare unit price, minimum order quantity, tooling or setup fees, packaging, payment terms, shipping terms, taxes, and replacement costs. | The quotation identifies all cost elements and states the applicable Incoterms® 2020 rule. The lowest unit price should not compensate for weak testing or high defect risk. | Formal quotation, pro forma invoice, packaging specification, Incoterms confirmation, landed-cost calculation. | 1–5 |
| Warranty and After-Sales Support | 4% | Review warranty duration, return-material authorization, failure analysis, replacement policy, technical response time, and spare-unit availability. | The agreement defines what constitutes a defect, the evidence required for a claim, response deadlines, shipping responsibility, and the replacement or repair process. | Warranty terms, RMA procedure, service-level commitment, failure-analysis template, support contact record. | 1–5 |