Starting to submit tenders is often on the to-do list of SMEs. If this sounds like your business, here’s some advice to get you started. Policies, processes and procedures It’s a rare tender that doesn’t ask for evidence of your quality management processes, diversity and inclusion policy, risk management strategy and sustainability credentials. And, if … Read more
The two factors that most deter a business from putting together a tender are lack of time and lack of resources. Responding to a request for tender is a big ask and almost always means additional input by team members already working at full capacity. But if it’s a plum contract that would really make … Read more
Imagine your engineering company is pitching for a large bore-drilling contract. The RFT says that the prospect wants an air-head and push-tube hammer capable of 250mm+ HQ/8-inch DTH, right? Wrong. They want a bore hole that’s the right size. It’s an important distinction to understand. Here’s why. How does the prospect benefit? All your prospect … Read more
If you’re still wondering if tendering is worth all the time and effort, then here are ten good reasons why you really should consider it. 1. You’ve got to be in it to win it. Seriously. If you don’t tender, someone else will. They’ll end up winning a contract that could have advanced your business … Read more
Not winning the government tender you’ve worked so hard to put together can be a bitter pill to swallow. But before you drown in a sea of disappointment, make sure to request a debrief to ascertain just how well your proposal went down. There’s much insight to be gained if you ask the right questions. … Read more
When submitting a tender, score extra brownie points with the assessment panel by taking care to include some well-constructed bios of key team members. Doing so helps add a more personal aspect to your submission, giving your tender bid a more well-rounded approach. What are the key elements of a good bio? Tone. A conversational … Read more
When it comes to the importance of using clear, concise language in a tender submission, Fergal McGovern, CEO of Visible Thread, doesn’t pull any punches. Using wordy language peppered with clichés and trite phrases, he says, is the ‘easiest way to sabotage an otherwise strong bid’. Here’s a selection of those he suggests you avoid at all costs. Delighted to – This should go without saying. Use … Read more
What does the Tenderer really want? How to ask questions during the Tender process. Once you’ve read all the Request for Tender (RFT) documents supplied by the client, the chances are that you will have many questions! First, clients want the best possible responses to their RFTs. Sometimes they are open to potential tenderers making enquiries … Read more
When writing a tender to any level of Australian government – local, state or federal – you need to be 100 per cent sure your response is 100 per cent compliant if you want to even get a look in. John Sheridan is an Australian Government ICT senior executive who recently gave a presentation covering … Read more
What steps you can take to make sure you write your tender or proposal so it stands a chance? Preparation is vital Tendering is undoubtedly a big user of that rarest of commodities: time. You can make best use of your precious hoard of minutes by not wasting a single second being disorganised. Businesses serious … Read more
