1 . Confirm the tender procedure , legislation and estimated value of a contract notice . Make sure you ’ re clear on all abbreviations and terms used . 2 . Confirm the award criteria and their weightings or order of importance . Ask questions about anything you think is unclear . 3 . Prepare a database of all the basic information commonly requested during the tendering process . This will allow you to have all the information you need on hand . This can include insurance details , references and financial information and so on . 4 . Consider creating a ‘ bid team ’ comprising a few members of staff for larger contracts . Different perspectives will allow you to create a thorough and comprehensive bid . 5 . Don ’ t be put off by the tender documentation – you can always ask for help and advice as directed within the document itself . 6 . Where appropriate , cross-reference the answers or responses in your tender to the questions in the Invitation to Tender document . This will make it easier to evaluate . 7 . Be clear on your pricing model and state any assumptions you have made when pricing ( for example , resources required by you and / or the awarding authority , timetables , etc .). 8 . Sell yourself in order to beat your competitors . Detail and explain the benefits of your offer clearly and simply . 9 . You must complete and return the tender by the given time and date and make sure to sign anything that should be signed . Incomplete and / or late tenders cannot be taken forward to evaluation and will be returned . 10 . If you are unsuccessful , make sure you ask for a debriefing ; you are entitled to one and it will help you to understand where you went wrong .

TOP 10 TENDERING TIPS FROM THE MOD

1 . Confirm the tender procedure , legislation and estimated value of a contract notice . Make sure you ’ re clear on all abbreviations and terms used . 2 . Confirm the award criteria and their weightings or order of importance . Ask questions about anything you think is unclear . 3 . Prepare a database of all the basic information commonly requested during the tendering process . This will allow you to have all the information you need on hand . This can include insurance details , references and financial information and so on . 4 . Consider creating a ‘ bid team ’ comprising a few members of staff for larger contracts . Different perspectives will allow you to create a thorough and comprehensive bid . 5 . Don ’ t be put off by the tender documentation – you can always ask for help and advice as directed within the document itself . 6 . Where appropriate , cross-reference the answers or responses in your tender to the questions in the Invitation to Tender document . This will make it easier to evaluate . 7 . Be clear on your pricing model and state any assumptions you have made when pricing ( for example , resources required by you and / or the awarding authority , timetables , etc .). 8 . Sell yourself in order to beat your competitors . Detail and explain the benefits of your offer clearly and simply . 9 . You must complete and return the tender by the given time and date and make sure to sign anything that should be signed . Incomplete and / or late tenders cannot be taken forward to evaluation and will be returned . 10 . If you are unsuccessful , make sure you ask for a debriefing ; you are entitled to one and it will help you to understand where you went wrong .