  In a recent analysis of high-statistics $p_t$ spectra from 5 and 13 TeV
$p$-$p$ collisions a two-component (soft+hard) model (TCM) of hadron production
near midrapidity, based on fixed model functions independent of collision
multiplicity $n_{ch}$ or event selection criteria, was employed as a reference
to determine data biases induced by the selection criteria. As in previous
studies the fixed TCM accurately isolated jet-related and nonjet contributions
to spectra. It was observed that two selection criteria (V0M and SPD), based on
different pseudorapidity $\eta$ acceptances, bias the spectrum hard component
(jet fragment distribution) in different but complementary ways whereas the
soft component is not significantly biased. In the present study TCM model
functions are adjusted (i.e. fitted) to accommodate data. The effect of
selection bias is then represented by smooth evolution of model parameters with
$n_{ch}$. To evaluate the quality of model fits, Z-scores (data-model
differences divided by statistical uncertainties) are evaluated and compared
with data/model ratios that are often used for such comparisons. Based on
Z-scores the variable TCM is compared with two other frequently-invoked models:
the Tsallis model and the blast-wave model as they have been recently applied
to the same spectrum data. The results are relevant to recent claims that
collectivity (various flow manifestations) as a possible manifestation of QGP
formation is observed in small systems. Data systematics suggest that these
$p$-$p$ $p_t$ spectra are consistent with conventional QCD.
