One offer starts with cartons queued in a supplier tray. The other starts at our packing bench. I want a complete cost comparison, not a prize for hiding the most preparation.
Who fills the supplier tray, and is that work included in their stated cycle or staffing assumption? That's the first boundary I'd get both quotes to name.
Our packer fills it, outside their cycle. The other offer includes presentation equipment but leaves changeover labour unpriced. Two different holes in the estimate.
Can both suppliers quote from cartons leaving your actual packing step to the same finished tray state, with replenishment, changeover and recovery responsibilities stated?
Sent that common scope. Thanks for the starting-point question. I'm keeping the labour gaps visible until the revised offers come back, rather than supplying imaginary free packers.