Winning technology contracts relies on a combination of experience in writing technical responses and strong writing skills. At Hudson, our bid writers are trained to write for a variety of sectors, including technology.

In this blog, we will cover the tendering process, how the process is different for the technology sector, where you can find help with your technology contracts and some testimonials from our technology clients.

What is the tendering process?

The tendering process for a vendor (supplier) is typically a competitive bidding process to determine which vendor offers the best product or service for the best price. Generally, before the process starts, the purchaser will define the scope of work needed and establish the desired criteria for the bid process. An invitation to tender (ITT) is then issued to potential vendors, who will submit their bids according to the specification criteria laid out in the ITT. The buyer will review the bids and choose the vendor they feel can best meet their needs. Finally, a contract is drawn up that both parties agree to.

Note: this does not include all of the research and preparation that occurs prior to the tendering process. If you are unsure of how to prepare to tender, or would like to outsource this service, contact us!

Tendering Process for the Technology Sector

Writing for the technology sector requires a deep understanding of the industry and an ability to communicate complex concepts clearly. When writing a tender response, it is important to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the area, as well as to highlight any innovative solutions you may have to offer.

Your proposal should focus on the specific needs of the technology sector, emphasising how your solution can address those needs in a unique and compelling way. Additionally, you must demonstrate your understanding of the current and emerging trends within the industry, as well as your ability to adapt to the evolving landscape.

5 Tips for Writing a Tender Response in the Technology Sector

1. Research the Client: Each technology sector customer will have specific requirements and preferences. It is essential to understand the customer’s desired outcomes from the tender and tailor responses accordingly.
2. Employ the Right Technology: Demonstrate understanding of the customer’s needs by outlining the latest technology and tools that will be employed.
3. Propose a Project Plan: Outline the project timeline, detailing the tasks, milestones, deliverables and team structure. Make sure you are managing the tender process throughout—minimising mistakes or overlooked aspects of the bid.
4. Highlight Your Expertise: Provide examples of relevant projects you and your team have successfully completed.
5. Offer Competitive Pricing: Be sure to put your best foot forward by offering competitive pricing that is in line with the quality and expertise of your services.

Technology Sector Testimonials

Here are some recent testimonials from our technology clients!

“From our first contact, Hudson were brilliant. After a short conversation, they quickly grasped the basics of our business and sector in which we operate. Jonny and the team took the stress and hassle away from us and we are very happy to say that we were awarded the first contract that we collaborated on. We would highly recommend Hudson and look forward to future endeavours together.”

Nick Sheehan, Sales Director – iLine Technologies

“A massive thank you to you and your team for being magicians and helping us submit our first tender! This has been a big learning curve for the company and we could not have got to this point without you. It was by chance that I came across Hudson Procurement Group online after sleepless nights wondering how I would get the tender application together by myself! I could not have asked for a better team to work with. I felt supported throughout and beyond relieved that the quality of work is as high as it is. If we could take you all out for lunch we would! For now, this will have to wait until Covid restrictions are over! Many thanks for your hard work and dedication to help us get this submission over the line.”

Anoop Panesar, Project Lead – Aspiring Panda

“I want to thank the Hudson team of Zoe, Daniel, and Kathryn for the amazing job they did with our RFP response. We had a short timeframe and a weekend in between – however I can assure the response was not short on content, quality and design. I highly recommend Hudson!”

Ken Taylor, CEO of Integrated Management Solution

How we can help!

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect bid for your business, send it our way. Our Bid Writers can take care of the whole thing for you they’ll even submit it on your behalf. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown.

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready 4-week programme is perfect for businesses that have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to ensure you have everything in place to tender successfully. Tender Ready offers your business:

• A 12-month subscription to one Hudson Discover
• Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding Professionals.
• An Organisation-wide Bid library, including 3 case studies, 5 CVs and policies.
• Additional flexible benefits. 

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing success from your current efforts, our Tender Improvement package can help. Our Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents. They will work with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to a Hudson Discover portal and additional tendering development services. 

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your tender response and need it double-checked for errors, Tender Mentor can help. A Bid Writer will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar, or spelling mistakes. They will also ensure it’s in line with the specification before you submit it. This is a great way of improving your skills and understanding of how to polish your tender.

Contact us:

Contact us to find out how we can help your business SUCCEED!

Additional support:

Do you only require assistance with PQQs or SQs? We can help!

Submit the relevant information regarding the work you need, and we will provide a quote for the work agreed upon.

We provide support at all levels of the bid writing process, so if you simply need it proofread before you submit it, we can also help with that!

Find Technology Tenders!

We can also help you find tenders in the technology sector via our portal—Technology Tenders.

We are an opportunity tracking platform, we source tenders from thousands of buyers across the UK and upload them to one central portal. We also send a daily bulletin to our clients consisting of newly published tenders, relevant to their service offering. You can filter your search using keywords, location, budget and more.

We house tenders from a variety of Technology sectors including:

• IT Support
• IT Systems
• Software and Hardware
• Network and Communications
• Security Systems

Book a free demonstration of our portal!

Our other divisions:

Vocal

Wanting to impress a buyer? Our creative content agency Vocal is always on hand to help!

Our Vocal team are never afraid to be heard – we’re a loud bunch!

From micro-businesses to large organisations, we provide ways to make your business stand out from the crowd. We can transform your bid into a professionally designed tender document!

Vocal specialises in:

• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Branding
• Websites
• Design
• Illustration

Alpha

Our online virtual learning environment for Education, Enterprise and Home Learners is currently being used to power our platforms – Tender VLE and Procure VLE (Coming soon).

We believe in learning at your own pace, wherever you are!

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:

• How to win a tender
• Tender Compliance: What does it mean to be non-compliant?
• Legal Services Tenders
• What is a Bid Writer?
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid Writing Consultants
• Submitting a tender response

The post Tendering Process for Technology Contracts appeared first on Tender Consultants.

It is no secret that the tendering process can be complex and requires planning, the dedication of time and resources and experience to complete a tender successfully. However, there may be a few things which you are unfamiliar with in the world of tendering. Get to know these top 10 tendering secrets and upgrade your tender response!

What is a tender?

A tender is a formal document for procuring goods/services from a supplier. Tenders are used in public procurement and private transactions for a variety of goods and services. They are normally submitted in response to an invitation to tender (ITT) issued by the buyer, who is seeking to purchase a particular service or product. Tenders typically involve the submission of detailed proposals from potential suppliers and involve a competitive bidding process. The successful bidder is usually the supplier who offers the best quality and most cost-effective solution.

How does the tendering process work?

The tendering process can vary between sectors; however, the process typically involves the following steps:

1. Preparation

Suppliers must prepare their bid documents carefully, including technical specifications, delivery terms, and pricing.

2. Proposal Submission

Suppliers must submit their proposal documents to the buyer.

3. Evaluation

The buyer evaluates the proposals, taking into consideration factors such as price, quality, delivery time, and other specific requirements.

4. Selection

The buyer selects the most suitable supplier based on the evaluation.

5. Contract Award & Signing

The buyer awards the contract to the chosen supplier and they sign a contract for the supply of goods or services.

6. Delivery & Payment

The supplier delivers the goods or services as stipulated in the contract and receives payment from the buyer.

Top 10 Tendering Secrets!

Below are our top 10 tendering secrets you should know if you want to start your journey to becoming a tender expert:

1. Selection

The evaluation and selection process for tenders is usually based on objective criteria, such as the most competitive price, quality, and delivery times.

2. The Buyer

Tendering is not just about submitting a proposal and waiting for a response; it involves engaging with the buyer, understanding their needs and objectives, and building a strong relationship.

3. Quality Matters

Ensure your tender is well-written and free from errors. Consider having it reviewed by a professional for any potential errors.

4. Time-Consuming

Tendering can be a long process. Depending on the contract and the complexity of the project, the tendering process can take several months to complete.

5. Presentation is Key

Your tender should be professional and well-presented. Use a clear layout and include visuals if appropriate to make your proposal stand out from the competition.

6. SMEs

Tenders are not just for big companies and governments. Small businesses and individuals can also submit tenders for projects or services.

7. Jargon

You may be tempted to over-saturate your tender response with technical jargon to show the buyer how knowledgeable you are. However, if the buyer is unfamiliar with your area of expertise, they will be put off by the readability of your response. It goes without saying that if the buyer cannot understand what you are saying, they are far less likely to award you the contract!

8. Plan, plan, plan

The planning process is just as important as what you write in your response. The old saying ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’ rings true, especially in tendering! Whether you write the response yourself or outsource to a professional, a plan must always be in place to ensure you include all the content you need, cover every detail in the specification and meet that all-important deadline.

9. Location

Different countries have different rules and regulations for tender processes. So, always make sure you are aware of the relevant regulations that will affect you.

10. Communication

Good communication with all parties involved is essential for success when tendering. This includes the buyer, stakeholders and your tender writing team.

How can I apply for a tender contract?

1. Research the tender

Read the tender documents for the contract, including the invitation to tender, specifications and terms and conditions. Understand what the contract entails and whether it is suitable for your business.

2. Assess your abilities

Assess if you have the necessary skills, resources, and capacity to successfully deliver the contract.

3. Check the eligibility criteria

Check the eligibility criteria carefully to ensure that you are eligible to apply for the tender contract.

4. Prepare your tender response

Prepare a comprehensive response to the tender that meets the requirements set out in the invitation to tender.

5. Submit your tender

Submit your tender response in accordance with the instructions in the tender documents.

How we can help!

Now you know the top 10 tendering secrets, you may be wondering how we can help you. Below is a list of our services from tender writing, review, preparation and improvement. Not to mention our portals to help you find tenders and our in-house design team who can transform your tender responses with eye-catching designs.

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect bid for your business, send it our way. Our Bid Writers can take care of the whole thing for you they’ll even submit it on your behalf. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown.

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready 4-week programme is perfect for businesses that have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to ensure you have everything in place to tender successfully. Tender Ready offers your business:

• A 12-month subscription to one Hudson Discover
• Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding Professionals.
• An Organisation-wide Bid library, including 3 case studies, 5 CVs and policies.
• Additional flexible benefits. 

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing success from your current efforts, our Tender Improvement package can help. Our Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents. They will work with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to a Hudson Discover portal and additional tendering development services. 

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your tender response and need it double-checked for errors, Tender Mentor can help. A Bid Writer will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar, or spelling mistakes. They will also ensure it’s in line with the specification before you submit it. This is a great way of improving your skills and understanding of how to polish your tender.

Contact us

Contact us to find out how we can help your business SUCCEED!

Additional support:

Do you only require assistance with PQQs or SQs? We can help!

Submit the relevant information regarding the work you need, and we will provide a quote for the work agreed upon.

We provide support at all levels of the bid writing process, so if you simply need it proofread before you submit it, we can also help with that!

Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can optimise your tendering efforts!

Our two new time-saving tools can improve competitor awareness and success rate when bidding for a contract:

The Ultimate Time Save Package (for those on the go!)

• Five tender breakdowns per month.
• Annual subscription to two sector-specific portals.
• Dedicated account manager.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package

• All of the above.
• Seven tender breakdowns per month.
• Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager (minimum five years experience). Our Global Bid Director will manage the bid strategy.

Our other divisions:

Vocal

Wanting to impress a buyer? Our creative content agency Vocal is always on hand to help!

Our Vocal team are never afraid to be heard – we’re a loud bunch!

From micro-businesses to large organisations, we provide ways to make your business stand out from the crowd. We can transform your bid into a professionally designed tender document!

Vocal specialises in:

• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Branding
• Websites
• Design
• Illustration

Alpha

Our online virtual learning environment for Education, Enterprise and Home Learners is currently being used to power our platforms – Tender VLE and Procure VLE (Coming soon).

We believe in learning at your own pace, wherever you are!

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:

• How to win a tender
• Tender Compliance: What does it mean to be non-compliant?
• Legal Services Tenders
• What is a Bid Writer?
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid Writing Consultants
• Submitting a tender response

The post Top 10 Tendering Secrets appeared first on Tender Consultants.

The tendering process in the creative sector is similar to tendering for any other sector, however, the expectations of the buyer are slightly different. In your tender response, it is your opportunity to show your creativity, and depending on the tender, your artistic flair.

In this blog, we’ll talk about the tendering process, creative sector tenders, how to show your creativity and where to find creative sector tenders!

What are Creative Sector Tenders?

Creative sector tenders are specific types of tenders related to the creative sector, such as:

• Graphic design
• Creative writing (Marketing)
• Digital media production
• Website design and development
• Video production
• Photography
• Music production
• Creative consultancy
• Branding
• Event management and production
• Advertising
• Animation
• Interactive media
• Visual arts
• Cultural activities

How do Creative Sector Tenders Differ from Other Sector Tenders?

Creative sector tenders are different from other sector tenders in that they typically focus on the creative, innovative, and artistic elements of a project. The tenders may include criteria such as the aesthetic qualities of the proposed solution, the originality of the concept, the use of new technology, and the ability to create a unique user experience. Additionally, creative sector tenders often consider the impact of the project on the local community, such as the potential to create new employment opportunities and increase access to the arts.

Creative Sector Tendering Process

1. Research the Tender: Before submitting a bid, take the time to research the tender and understand the client’s needs and requirements. The more information you have about the project, the better your chances of success.
2. Demonstrate Expertise: Be sure to highlight your experience and expertise in the industry. Showcase your previous work, providing industry-specific case studies, and share examples of how you have helped other clients succeed.
3. Showcase Your Team: Be sure to showcase the team that will be working on the project. Do this by including details on the qualifications of the team members, as well as any awards or recognition they have received.
4. Outline Your Process: Explain your creative process and how you plan to deliver the project. Be sure to include a timeline and any other key steps in the process.
5. Be Reasonable: Make sure you are submitting a bid that is reasonable for both parties. Do not overcharge for the project or under-price your services.
6. Show your creativity: As you are applying for a creative tender, this is the perfect time to showcase your creativity through design. Show buyers what your brand is all about with bid design and stand out from your competitors!

Where to find Creative Sector Tenders? 

A subscription to Creative Tenders provides you with:

• Access to all new public and private sector digital marketing contracts across the UK.
• A daily email bulletin is sent straight to your inbox when new marketing opportunities are uploaded.
• Discounted support from Hudson Succeed (our bid writing division).
• 20 minutes of free consultancy with one of our Bid Management Consultants each month.

Here are some examples of the sectors we source opportunities for:

• Events Management
• Marketing
• Digital Services
• Design
• Graphic Design
• Print
• Website
• Video Production and many more.

Book a free live demo with Creative Tenders to see how we can help your business grow.

How we can help!

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect bid for your business, send it our way. Our Bid Writers can take care of the whole thing for you they’ll even submit it on your behalf. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown.

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready 4-week programme is perfect for businesses that have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to ensure you have everything in place to tender successfully. Tender Ready offers your business:

• A 12-month subscription to one Hudson Discover
• Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding Professionals.
• An Organisation-wide Bid library, including 3 case studies, 5 CVs and policies.
• Additional flexible benefits. 

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing success from your current efforts, our Tender Improvement package can help. Our Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents. They will work with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to a Hudson Discover portal and additional tendering development services. 

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your tender response and need it double-checked for errors, Tender Mentor can help. A Bid Writer will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar, or spelling mistakes. They will also ensure it’s in line with the specification before you submit it. This is a great way of improving your skills and understanding of how to polish your tender.

Contact us:

Contact us to find out how we can help your business SUCCEED!

Additional support:

Do you only require assistance with PQQs or SQs? We can help!

Submit the relevant information regarding the work you need, and we will provide a quote for the work agreed upon.

We provide support at all levels of the bid writing process, so if you simply need it proofread before you submit it, we can also help with that!

Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can optimise your tendering efforts!

Our two new time-saving tools can improve competitor awareness and success rate when bidding for a contract:

The Ultimate Time Save Package (for those on the go!)

• Five tender breakdowns per month.
• Annual subscription to two sector-specific portals.
• Dedicated account manager.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package

• All of the above.
• Seven tender breakdowns per month.
• Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager (minimum five years experience). Our Global Bid Director will manage the bid strategy.

Our other divisions:

Vocal

Wanting to impress a buyer? Our creative content agency Vocal is always on hand to help!

Our Vocal team are never afraid to be heard – we’re a loud bunch!

From micro-businesses to large organisations, we provide ways to make your business stand out from the crowd. We can transform your bid into a professionally designed tender document!

Vocal specialises in:

• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Branding
• Websites
• Design
• Illustration

Alpha

Our online virtual learning environment for Education, Enterprise and Home Learners is currently being used to power our platforms – Tender VLE and Procure VLE (Coming soon).

We believe in learning at your own pace, wherever you are!

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:

• How to win a tender
• Tender Compliance: What does it mean to be non-compliant?
• Legal Services Tenders
• What is a Bid Writer?
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid Writing Consultants
• Submitting a tender response

The post Tendering in the Creative Sector appeared first on Tender Consultants.

The tendering process can be complicated at the best of times and you may be wondering how to avoid all the potential pitfalls that can occur for those new to the world of tendering.

If this is you? Keep reading to find out our top do’s and don’ts for success!

First, let’s start with the basics…

What is tendering?

The tendering process is the process of submitting a bid in response to an invitation to tender (ITT) from the buyer. The bid is typically for the supply of goods and services to the buyer, and the process involves researching the project and preparing a submission, which is then presented to the buyer for evaluation.

The process typically involves drawing up a tender document, including technical and financial details, which is then sent to potential suppliers. The suppliers respond with their offers, and the buyer evaluates the offers and selects the most suitable supplier.

Why is the tendering process so complicated?

The tendering process can be complicated, simply because there are so many factors to consider depending on the industry you are tendering for. But that’s not to say that it has to be complicated!

At Hudson, we help at every stage of the tendering process — even if you only need another pair of eyes to check over your response, a review or an end-to-end writing and submission service, we can help!

Top 4 Do’s

• Read and understand the tender – this is the moment when you need to decide whether your business can successfully meet the requirements of this contract.
• Read the tender specification! – a successful tendering process relies heavily on whether you meet the buyer’s requirements in terms of information provided, and in the style needed. Answer all questions set in a clear and concise manner!
• Clarification – answering questions when you aren’t 100% certain what they are asking, can result in a low score. Make sure you always factor in time for asking questions and direct those questions wherever specified in the tender documents.
• Accuracy – the buyer is trusting you to submit information that is truthful and accurate as to what you can supply. You will also need to provide evidence of important documents such as CVs, financial status etc.

Top 4 Don’ts

• Leaving your submission to the last minute! – Rushing to meet the deadline or late submissions will either result in your response being non-compliant, scoring low or completely disregarded. It is vital that you stick to both internal and external deadlines in order to give yourself the best possible outcome.
• Never assume that all tenders are the same! – every buyer is different, therefore every tender specification you receive will be too! Make sure that you follow each tender’s requirements to a T, avoiding the generalisation of your responses. Always provide evidence and detail!
• Never include irrelevant material! – If you feel like you can’t answer the questions set and want to add evidence even if it’s irrelevant, don’t do it! You won’t score highly or at all depending on relevance. If you are unsure, always ask for clarification or seek advice from expert tender writers.
• Never get overwhelmed! – the tendering process can be both complex and time-consuming, particularly if you are new to it! Make sure to seek out help when you need it and take a look at our services below.

How we can help!

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect bid for your business, send it our way. Our Bid Writers can take care of the whole thing for you they’ll even submit it on your behalf. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown.

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready 4-week programme is perfect for businesses that have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to ensure you have everything in place to tender successfully. Tender Ready offers your business:

• A 12-month subscription to one Hudson Discover
• Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding Professionals.
• An Organisation-wide Bid library, including 3 case studies, 5 CVs and policies.
• Additional flexible benefits.

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing success from your current efforts, our Tender Improvement package can help. Our Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents. They will work with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to a Hudson Discover portal and additional tendering development services.

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your tender response and need it double-checked for errors, Tender Mentor can help. A Bid Writer will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar, or spelling mistakes. They will also ensure it’s in line with the specification before you submit it. This is a great way of improving your skills and understanding of how to polish your tender.

Contact us:

Contact us to find out how we can help your business SUCCEED!

Additional support:

Do you only require assistance with PQQs or SQs? We can help!

Submit the relevant information regarding the work you need, and we will provide a quote for the work agreed upon.

We provide support at all levels of the bid writing process, so if you simply need it proofread before you submit it, we can also help with that!

Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can optimise your tendering efforts!

Our two new time-saving tools can improve competitor awareness and success rate when bidding for a contract:

The Ultimate Time Save Package (for those on the go!)

• Five tender breakdowns per month.
• Annual subscription to two sector-specific portals.
• Dedicated account manager.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package

• All of the above.
• Seven tender breakdowns per month.
• Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager (minimum five years experience). Our Global Bid Director will manage the bid strategy.

Our other divisions:

Vocal

Wanting to impress a buyer? Our creative content agency Vocal is always on hand to help!

Our Vocal team are never afraid to be heard – we’re a loud bunch!

From micro-businesses to large organisations, we provide ways to make your business stand out from the crowd. We can transform your bid into a professionally designed tender document!

Vocal specialises in:

• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Branding
• Websites
• Design
• Illustration

Alpha

Our online virtual learning environment for Education, Enterprise and Home Learners is currently being used to power our platforms – Tender VLE and Procure VLE (Coming soon).

We believe in learning at your own pace, wherever you are!

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:

• How to win a tender
• What is a Bid Writer?
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid Writing Consultants
• Submitting a tender response

The post The Do’s and Don’ts of Tendering appeared first on Tender Consultants.

What is the tendering process in construction?

The tendering process in construction is the process of submitting a bid in response to an invitation for tenders from a client. The bid is typically for the supply of goods and services to the client, and the process involves researching the project and preparing a submission, which is then presented to the client to evaluate.

The process typically involves drawing up a tender document, including technical and financial details, which is then sent to potential suppliers. The suppliers respond with their offers, and the client evaluates the offers and selects the most suitable supplier.

The tendering process in construction in 10 steps:

1. Identify the project and the client’s needs.
2. Research the project and the client.
3. Prepare the tender document.
4. Submit the tender document to the client.
5. Receive and evaluate tender responses.
6. Select the most suitable supplier.
7. Negotiate the contract terms.
8. Execute the contract.
9. Monitor the project’s progress.
10. Finalize the project.

Is the tender process difficult in the construction industry?

Yes, the tender process can be difficult in the construction industry, as there are many factors to consider. The tender process requires careful planning and attention to detail, as the client needs to ensure that the chosen supplier can deliver results that meet the client’s expectations.

In addition, the tender process involves evaluating the financial and technical aspects of the bids, which can be complex.

Furthermore, contractors may also need to consider environmental, legal and political issues when evaluating bids.

Is the construction tendering process transparent and fair?

Yes, the construction tendering process is generally considered to be transparent and fair. The tendering process is typically conducted in a fair and open manner, with all potential suppliers having equal access to the tender documents and information.

Furthermore, the client is obliged to evaluate all bids objectively and select the most suitable provider. This helps to ensure that the chosen supplier can meet the client’s requirements and provide the best value for money.

20 things to consider when bidding in the construction sector!

1. Research the project thoroughly
2. Understand the client’s requirements
3. Determine the feasibility of the project
4. Estimate the costs and time required
5. Compile a comprehensive tender document
6. Understand the technical aspects of the project
7. Consider the environmental and legal implications
8. Consider the financial implications
9. Estimate the risks involved
10. Estimate the profit potential
11. Calculate the costs of materials and labour
12. Consider the insurance requirements
13. Identify any potential subcontractors
14. Evaluate the labour market
15. Consider the safety and quality standards
16. Consider the payment and delivery terms
17. Understand the warranty requirements
18. Evaluate the competition
19. Consider the client’s feedback
20. Assess the potential for future contracts

Our services include:

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect bid for your business, send it our way. Our Bid Writers can take care of the whole thing for you they’ll even submit it on your behalf. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown.

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready 4-week programme is perfect for businesses that have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to ensure you have everything in place to tender successfully. Tender Ready offers your business:

• A 12-month subscription to one Hudson Discover
• Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding Professionals.
• An Organisation-wide Bid library, including 3 case studies, 5 CVs and policies.
• Additional flexible benefits.

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing success from your current efforts, our Tender Improvement package can help. Our Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents. They will work with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to a Hudson Discover portal and additional tendering development services.

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your tender response and need it double-checked for errors, Tender Mentor can help. A Bid Writer will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar, or spelling mistakes. They will also ensure it’s in line with the specification before you submit it. This is a great way of improving your skills and understanding of how to polish your tender.

Contact us:

Contact us to find out how we can help your business SUCCEED!

Additional support:

Do you only require assistance with PQQs or SQs? We can help!

Submit the relevant information regarding the work you need, and we will provide a quote for the work agreed upon.

We provide support at all levels of the bid writing process, so if you simply need it proofread before you submit it, we can also help with that!

Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can optimise your tendering efforts!

Our two new time-saving tools can improve competitor awareness and success rate when bidding for a contract:

The Ultimate Time Save Package (for those on the go!)

• Five tender breakdowns per month.
• Annual subscription to two sector-specific portals.
• Dedicated account manager.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package

• All of the above.
• Seven tender breakdowns per month.
• Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager (minimum five years experience). Our Global Bid Director will manage the bid strategy.

Our other divisions:

Vocal

Wanting to impress a buyer? Our creative content agency Vocal is always on hand to help!

Our Vocal team are never afraid to be heard – we’re a loud bunch!

From micro-businesses to large organisations, we provide ways to make your business stand out from the crowd. We can transform your bid into a professionally designed tender document!

Vocal specialises in:

• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Branding
• Websites
• Design
• Illustration

Alpha

Our online virtual learning environment for Education, Enterprise and Home Learners is currently being used to power our platforms – Tender VLE and Procure VLE (Coming soon).

We believe in learning at your own pace, wherever you are!

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:

• How to win a tender
• What is a Bid Writer?
• The tendering process
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid Writing Consultants
• Submitting a tender response

The post Tendering Process in Construction appeared first on Tender Consultants.

Many SMEs wonder how to become a government supplier. They recognise the advantages and prospects of listing government bodies as clients and climbing the contract ladder.

It’s true that listing previous contract experience with government clients will help you to secure larger contracts. However, this is a bit of a chicken and egg situation, isn’t it? How can you win a contract in the first place to gain the experience you need? We all remember struggling to land our first job straight out of education, without that all-important experience. Well, this is similar.

In this blog, we’ll explain how to become a government supplier if you’re a small business. We’ll cover:

1. How to find the opportunities.
2. How to prepare and ensure you’re tender ready.
3. 3 ways to make sure you meet the brief and have a good chance of winning.
4. How the government helps small businesses bid for work.
5. Social value – what is it and how to prepare in advance.
6. Our top 9 tips for how to become a government supplier.

Firstly, how do you find opportunities in the first place? 

We’re not going to get very far without identifying an opportunity, are we! In the UK, there are hundreds of websites that publish new tendering opportunities, including the government’s own website, Contracts Finder. The problem is that these websites are not that easy to navigate and they’re not efficient to use.

Why? The main culprit is CPV codes (common procurement vocabulary). An eight-digit code, used for categorising opportunities into ‘subject matter’…in theory.

CPV codes are often used incorrectly by buyers due to the vast number of codes available. A study by the European Commission sampled 405 contract notices. They found that 23% had the wrong code associated with the scope of work tendered. This results in an inefficient sourcing process for you, the prospective supplier.

That’s why we created our own tendering portals, housed under Hudson Discover. We removed the use of CPV codes or algorithms and replaced them with manual opportunity tracking. Not only that, but the portals are also sector-specific, making them even more tailored to the user. More information about our portals can be found here:

• Creative Tenders
• Construction Tenders
• Healthcare Tenders
• Facilities Tenders
• Logistics Tenders
• Research Tenders
• Technology Tenders
• Consultancy Tenders
• HR Tenders
• Hospitality Tenders
• Finance Tenders.

How to make sure you’re tender ready before you begin

If tendering is new to you, becoming tender ready is an important step. In any tender, you will be required to provide certain documents and evidence. The savvier tenderers will spot that the same, or similar, documents are required by each buyer. Therefore, you can get a step ahead by preparing these documents in advance.

From our experience, the most commonly requested documents are:

• Company CVs
• Case studies – usually three from the last five years
• Policies and procedures
• Methodologies.

For help with getting tender ready, visit our dedicated Tender Ready service page.

3 ways to make sure you meet the brief

Before you jump into writing your tender responses and working out your pricing, we recommend:

1. Checking your economic financial standing

As a general rule of thumb, we advise against bidding for contracts with a value greater than half your turnover. This is your economic financial standing. For example, if a contract has a value of £50,000, you should be turning over at least £100,000. This is because you may struggle to prove that your resources meet the requirements. Often, buyers will ask to see your financial accounts during the tendering process.

2. Making sure you can evidence your experience

As we mentioned above, government buyers will often ask to see three case studies. They should be from contracts you have delivered within the last five years, in a similar field to this scope. If you can get testimonials from your previous clients, this will help to further demonstrate your capabilities.

3. Thinking about how you can evidence value for money

Government buyers are accountable for their spending. They have to demonstrate how they have delivered the best value for money because they’re spending public purse. This means that to become a government supplier, you need to evidence added value. It’s not just pricing that buyers consider to be good value. It’s a combination of quality and price throughout the life of the contract. So, make sure you highlight how and why your approach is cost-effective and helps the government make savings.

How to become a government supplier if you’re an SME…will the government help?

Becoming a government supplier is beneficial for both you and the government. The UK government is targeted with spending £1 in every £3 with small businesses. So, how are they helping small businesses secure contracts?

• Lower value contracts

Since leaving the EU, there is more flexibility for lower value government contracts to be reserved for SME bidders. There is also more flexibility for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs).

• Introducing the prompt payment code

The prompt payment code offers suppliers peace of mind. It states that public sector buyers must include 30-day payment terms in their contracts. They also need to ensure that this is passed down the supply chain. If this is not happening, businesses are encouraged to raise this directly with the Public Procurement Review Service.

If this was the case, interest becomes liable as set out in the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. This means that businesses can claim interest on any late invoices.

• The Small Business Commissioner

The Small Business Commissioner is a free service that ensures fair payment practices for all small businesses in Britain. The body supports businesses to resolve payment disputes with larger businesses.

Social value – what is it and how can you prepare?

When SMEs research how to become a government supplier, they sometimes overlook social value. The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 became law on 8^th March 2012. It requires public sector organisations to consider the supplier’s potential to deliver services that benefit the local area and people.

In January 2021, new measures came into effect. Any public sector organisation procuring goods/services with a value of over £180,000 is obliged to ask bidders about social value. A 10% weighting has been placed on these questions in tenders and PQQs. Therefore, it’s worth considering how your business aligns with the aims of the social value measures, which are:

• Creating new jobs and promoting skills
• Encouraging economic growth
• Supporting Covid-19 recovery
• Tackling climate change
• Levelling up the UK.

Our top 9 tips when tendering for work

If you’re wondering how to become a government supplier, read our top 10 tips:

1. Invest in the sourcing process

Allocate someone in your team to keep on top of new tendering opportunities. If you’re using the government’s website, they should allocate at least 15-30minutes per day to check for new tenders. If you’re using our Hudson Discover tendering portals, they’ll just need to keep an eye on their inbox. Either way, they need to take action immediately when they identify an opportunity. The rest of your team needs plenty of time to read the documents and write the responses.

2. Don’t rush in, weigh up the opportunity

Check our top three tips above and answer those questions before diving in. You should also assess the competition and how the new business would impact your current workload. Make sure that you have experience, and that the bid is realistic for you to win.

3. Familiarise yourself with the buyer’s portal

The portal will be used to:

• Register your interest and download the tender documents
• Ask clarification questions
• Submit the final bid.

Make sure you know your way around and don’t leave it until the last minute to submit your bid. If you miss the deadline, the buyer doesn’t have to grant you an extension or even look at your bid. Even if you missed it because of technical difficulties – the buyer doesn’t have to make allowances. Don’t take the risk!

4. Make a bid plan

Break down the bid requirements and assign people in your team to take charge. This could be collating your policies, answering specific questions, or keeping your time management in line. Give each team member a clear role and deadlines for any input they will have.

5. Research the buying organisation

To make an impression on the buyer, it’s important that you understand them and their core values. This will help you demonstrate how your values align with theirs in your responses. If there is an incumbent supplier, you can try to find out who they are and how they are performing. Then, structure your responses around what the buyer is looking for.

6. Always refer back to the question and provide evidence

When you start writing your responses, always refer back to the question and make sure you’ve answered it. Use the buyer’s exact wording from the question to directly address their requirements.

Avoid empty or cliché statements such as ‘our people are at the heart of everything we do’. Fluffy statements like this are fine for marketing, but not bidding! Make sure you have evidence to back up every claim you make and demonstrate added value throughout.

7. Avoid jargon

The evaluator is most likely not an expert in your field. Using overly complicated jargon will only make your bid difficult to understand, and in turn, to evaluate. Keep the language simple and the sentences short – around 20 words per sentence is enough.

Don’t skip the proofing! Check for grammatical and spelling errors – they raise red flags with buyers for a lack of attention to detail.

8. Use clear formatting and design (where appropriate)

Some bids will follow a more rigid approach. The buyer will stipulate the font and point size for your responses and/or provide boxes for you to fill in. Others will follow a free-flowing proposal layout where you are given creative freedom to present the information. If this is the case, we always recommend having your bid professionally designed. It’s a great way to stand out amongst your competitors and make your bid easy to follow.

For help with Bid Design, see our sister company, Vocal.

9. Get feedback and carry on!

Unfortunately, you won’t always be successful in every tender. It’s important to not be too disheartened and use this as a learning opportunity. Ask the buyer for feedback if it hasn’t been provided and review it with your team.

If you’re losing multiple bids, it might be time to bring in a professional to assess how you could improve. See our Tender Improvement service for more information.

Summary

We’ve reached the end of our blog on how to become a government supplier. We hope our information was helpful. If you need a quick recap, here you go:

• Choose an easy-to-use platform to help you identify opportunities quickly and make sure you never miss out.
• Spend some time getting ready to tender for work before you dive straight in. Get your company CVs, case studies and policies in order and file them away so they’re ready to go.
• Make sure you meet the brief. Check your economic financial standing, ensure you have evidence and that you can offer value for money.
• The government needs to work with smaller businesses to meet their targets. They offer support through:

1. The prompt payment code
2. Making interest liable if the terms aren’t met
3. Offering free support through The Small Business Commissioner.

• Do your social value research and make sure you can provide examples of how you meet the aims.
• Review our top 9 tips for how to become a government supplier:

1. Invest in the sourcing process
2. Don’t rush in
3. Familiarise yourself with the buyer’s portal
4. Make a bid plan
5. Research the buying organisation
6. Refer back to the question and provide evidence to back up your claims
7. Avoid jargon
8. Make your bid easy to read through formatting and design
9. Get feedback and carry on!

Need help with becoming a government supplier?

Our team of consultants are here to help you.

They have a thorough understanding of the tender process and government contracts, knowing exactly how to respond.

By outsourcing to professionals, you could improve your chances of winning contracts.

We have over 60 years of bid writing experience and an 87% success rate. Whether you’re completely new to tendering or aren’t seeing results – we can help. There are four bid writing packages available:

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found a government tender you’d like to go for, send it over to us. One of our Bid Writers will write the tender response for you. We’ll provide a full Tender Writing breakdown and even submit the bid on your behalf.

Tender Mentor

Tender Mentor can give your tender response a once-over before you submit it. Our Bid Writing Team will analyse your response, notifying you of any errors and opportunities for improvements prior to submission.

Tender Ready

During the Tender Ready service, our team will create professional policies, procedures, and case studies in your company branding. If you already have this content, we will review everything carefully to ensure that nothing is missed. Once the programme is complete, you’ll have access to three days’ worth of bid consultancy. This can be used for bid writing, tender reviews, or general advice and guidance.

Tender Improvement

The Tender Improvement package can help those who have tendered before but aren’t seeing results. Our Bid Writers will assess your previous responses and work with you to develop improved content.

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Need help with searching for tenders?

A subscription to one of our sector-specific portals will include:

• Unlimited portal access. You can browse your industry’s portal to your heart’s content. See all the opportunities that are available, intuitively categorised, and easily accessible.
• A daily email bulletin. When you sign up to a portal, you’ll receive an email alert when new tenders are uploaded.
• A free 20-minute phone consultation with a Bid Writer every month. Our expert Bid Consultants will chat with you about anything tender related.

Discover Elite

If you want to streamline the process even further, you can sign up to Discover Elite via your chosen portal. With this service, a dedicated Account Manager will find live bids on your behalf. They’ll speak with you weekly to discuss opportunities that may interest you. This is especially helpful for those with little time to spare due to busy schedules.

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:   

• How to win a tender
• What is a Bid Writer?
• The tendering process
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid Writing Consultants
• Submitting a tender response
• And many more.

The post How to Become a Government Supplier in the UK appeared first on Tender Consultants.

Tender specifications are probably the most important part of any bid proposal. You need to ensure that you fully understand what you are reading when it comes to the tender documents.

Basically, the tender specifications are there to provide you with a detailed description of the overall contract. It will outline the purpose of the contract, what is required and the solution the buyer is seeking. It will also go into detail about what is required from you, the supplier, to win the contract.

In this blog, we go through some of the common tender specifications you could see when responding to a bid.

What is included in tender specifications?

Here is a breakdown of some of the common tender specifications that you can expect within a tender document:

• Description of the contract

This is where the buyer will briefly outline the intent of the contract. This will highlight what will be involved in the contracts, and the services it will require. There will also be a general description of the contract. This is to give you context of why the buyer issuing the tender, and what they are expecting from you.

• Service requirements

This tender specification will define, in detail, what the requirements are for the contract. But it will also highlight what you will need to do to meet them. This will outline the following:

• Timescales
• Budgets
• Quantities (if it requires the delivery of a product)
• How the products/services will be delivered
• Quality expectations
• Contingency plans
• Reporting structures, and who will be the contracting authority.

You may find that the tender specification is split into two sections: functional requirements, and performance requirements. This will be down to the buyer, and how they want to establish their specifications.

Functional requirements – define the desired result of the contract, highlighting what the overall goal is. The buyer will be looking to see if you put forward any innovative solutions that will meet their requirements effectively.

Performance requirements – goes into detail about the inputs and outputs of the solutions that will be put into place. For example, it will look at the standards of the products. Ensuring it meets to the relevant European Standards (or equivalent).

• Mandatory requirements (if any)

With some tender specifications, you may find that there are mandatory requirements. These will be essential criteria defined by the buyer that you will need to meet when responding to the tender. If you do not, you may be rejected early in the process. An example of this would be security regarding company information. If your services require data handling, then the buyer will want reassurance that their data is well protected.

• Contract length

The buyer will clearly highlight the length of the intended contract. They will also inform you if it is a recurring contract, so that you can tender for it again. You will also need to state what your exit plans are. This is the plan you will have in place when the contract is coming to an end.

• Sustainability considerations

This is to ensure that your services/products are in accordance with the Programme for Government commitments. Buyers will want to see detailed plans to ensure their sustainability targets are met.

• Contract management plans

For this tender specification, the buyer will be looking to see your management plans for the duration of the contract. Will there be a need for regular meetings? Is there a requirement for regular reviews? These are just some of the questions you will need to answer.

Summary

So, by now you should probably have a better understanding of what tender specifications are. But also, what the buyer is looking to see within your tender response.

Here is a recap of some of the tender specifications you could come across:

• Description of the contract – will outline the intent of the contract.
• Service requirements – what the buyer requires from the supplier.
• Mandatory requirements (if any) – that you need to be able to provide to the buyer, this is non-negotiable.
• Contract length – so you know how long the contract will run and when you need to reapply if it is recurring.
• Sustainability considerations – outline how you will meet the buyer’s sustainability goals.
• Contract management plans – how will you manage the contract.

Now you know what to expect from tender specifications, you can begin to prepare your bid proposals.

Want to improve your win rate? – Enter Hudson Succeed

Understanding tender specifications is one thing but knowing how to respond to them can be tricky. Why not consider a professional bid writer to help you with your response? By outsourcing to professionals, you could improve your chances of winning contracts.

We have over 60 years of bid writing experience and an 87% success rate. Whether you’re completely new to tendering or aren’t seeing results – we can help. There are four bid writing packages available:

• Tender Writing 

Once you’ve found a tender you’d like to go for, send it over to us. One of our Bid Writers will write the tender response for you. We’ll provide a full Tender Writing breakdown and even submit the bid on your behalf.

• Tender Mentor  

Tender Mentor can give your tender response a once-over before you submit it. Our Bid Writing Team will analyse your response, notifying you of any errors and opportunities for improvements prior to submission.

• Tender Ready 

During the Tender Ready service, our team will create professional policies, procedures, and case studies in your company branding. If you already have this content, we will review everything carefully to ensure that nothing is missed. Once the programme is complete, you’ll have access to three days’ worth of bid consultancy. This can be used for bid writing, tender reviews, or general advice and guidance.

• Tender Improvement  

The Tender Improvement package can help those who have tendered before but aren’t seeing results. Our Bid Writers will assess your previous responses and work with you to develop improved content.

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Need help with searching for tenders?

There’s no shortage of websites offering multi-sector tendering opportunities and leads.

Ideally, you should be searching for a sector-specific site that posts all unique, public and private sector opportunities.

Our sister company, Hudson Discover, has 11 sector-specific tendering portals. One centralised and easy-to-navigate portal can help you save time, streamlining the process.

You’ll also get an email alert when new and relevant tenders are uploaded to your sector. 

A subscription to one of our industry-specific portals will include:  

• Unlimited portal access. You can browse your industry’s portal to your heart’s content. See all the opportunities that are available, intuitively categorised, and easily accessible.
• A daily email bulletin. When you sign up to a portal, you’ll receive an email alert when new tenders are uploaded.
• A free 20-minute phone consultation with a Bid Writer. Our expert Bid Consultants will chat with you about anything tender related.  

What opportunities can I expect from a tender search on a Hudson Discover portal?

Hudson Discover hosts all kinds of tenders in both the public and private sectors. These are inclusive of, but aren’t limited to:

• Open tenders
• Restricted procedure tenders
• Competitive dialogues
• Negotiated tendering procedures
• Innovation partnerships
• Single supplier contracts
• Framework agreements
• Dynamic Purchasing Systems.

Discover Elite

If you want to streamline the process even further, you can sign up to Discover Elite via your chosen portal. With this service, a dedicated Account Manager will find live bids on your behalf. They’ll speak with you weekly to discuss opportunities that may interest you. This is especially helpful for those with little time to spare due to busy schedules.

 Vocal

Our support doesn’t end there! Our creative content agency, Vocal, are on hand to help.

The Vocal Team are not afraid to stand up and be heard. And we make sure our clients aren’t either! From small, micro-businesses to large organisations, we are vocal about the things that make your business unique.

Our creative service is dedicated to growing your business through striking and thought-provoking content. We’ll take your bid and give it a complete makeover. With professionally designed tender documents, you’re sure to make an impression on the buyer!

Our team specialise in six areas, including:

• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Branding
• Websites
• Design
• Illustration.

If you’d like to know more about what we can do for your business, introduce yourself to the team!

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:   

• How to win a tender
• What is a Bid Writer?
• The tendering process
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid Writing Consultants
• Submitting a tender response
• And many more.

The post What to expect from tender specifications appeared first on Tender Consultants.

Electronic tenders have become standard practice in the procurement industry, with more buyers adopting online processes.

It is not only buyers who yield benefits from this technology, but suppliers too. This online process presents easier access to tendering opportunities and a clear, structured procedure to follow. Here we run through the e-tendering process, along with some core benefits for suppliers.

The digital transformation towards electronic tendering

As technology continues to evolve, e-tendering processes now dominate the procurement industry. With this move to online processes, the question is no longer “is e-tendering right for my company?”. Suppliers must now adapt to the digital transformation of procurement.

Software solutions are now no longer exclusive to larger, more resourceful companies. Small to Medium Enterprises are now able to access these electronic procurement solutions and reap its benefits. This transformation typically aims towards goals such as cost savings, greater efficiency, and improved strategic and competitive decision-making.

Like all digital transformations, electronic tendering also has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Despite its cons, it is rapidly taking over paper-based solutions. It is important for suppliers to not only understand the benefits this yields, but how to successfully navigate them.

The e-tendering platform

There are a number of online portals that are used for submitting your tender online. These portals provide a secure online platform that improve the speed and efficiency of submissions. Such portals include but are not limited to: ProContract (Proactis), YORtender, DELTA eSourcing, and Oracle iSupplier.

Once you are registered on one of these portals, there are multiple utilities at your disposal. You can:

• Express interest in opportunities
• Complete and submit a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ)
• Complete and submit a tender proposal
• Access the tender documents, such as the buyer’s specification
• Ask the buyer clarification questions
• Receive notifications of any changes to the tender requirements
• Upload any appendices to support your bid.

What are the key advantages for suppliers?

The electronic tendering process provides a structured approach to submitting bids. While each portal may have different formats, they often abide by a sequential process. For example, when taking you through the tendering process you will often be required to complete parts before moving on. This mitigates the potential for error, such as accidentally missing out important parts of the proposal.

Depending on the tender portal used, there are also the following structural benefits:

• Formatted text fields

Not all online portals require you to submit your bid in the form of Word documents. Portals such as ProActis provide text boxes for question responses. This removes the burden of formatting from the supplier, putting all of the focus onto the content. This also means that no bidder can be at an advantage due to unique formatting or design.

• Clarifications and post-clarifications

Electronic tendering systems have processes in place to allow both buyers and suppliers to seek clarification from each other. If a requirement in the specification is unclear, the buyer would be able to clarify this in a timely manner. Buyers often get in touch with suppliers for clarifications post-submission. This reduces the chances of the submission quality being marked down automatically due to error. Additionally, all communications are within a clear, legally binding trail.

• Easy-to-use interface

While the online procurement process can take some time to adjust to, most interfaces are user-friendly. This greatly simplifies the submission and information acquisition process for suppliers. Not only is the paper-based alternative more costly, but it is also more tedious in general. Using this interface, it is also easier to manage documents for submissions and make edits where necessary. This is something that would be far more tedious with the paper-based option!

• Fool-proofing

As touched upon previously, the e-tendering process is usually fool-proofed to reduce error. This is achieved by dividing the proposal up into mandatory sections, requiring you to complete each section. Using an e-tendering portal also means that it is much easier to pick up where you left off. This is typically done with a completion tracker or visual cues indicating which fields still require responses.

8 tips for submitting electronic tenders

Electronic tendering improves access to opportunities with a structured format. However, it is still worth noting these e-tendering tips:

1. Don’t wait too long to submit clarifications

There is typically a deadline for submitting clarifications to the buyer before the official submission deadline. By getting your clarifications resolved early, the sooner you can submit your bid. You should aim to be clear about which part of the tender you are referring to. Taking too long to seek clarifications also means there is less time to make the amendments in question. It would be ideal to get these sooner rather than later.

2. Try not to submit your tender at the last minute

Leaving the submission of your bid to the last minute can run you into problems. If there is something wrong with the portal or the submission, you may not have time to resolve this. It is always good to submit the tender a decent length of time before the deadline. When it comes to the submission, if you do run into problems, it is important to evidence this. This can be done in the form of screenshots relayed to the buyer or portal administrator. It might also be worth submitting different parts of the tender when they are completed – instead of in one go.

3. Don’t forget your login details

While it may be obvious, losing access to your account can cause you to miss looming deadlines. Some electronic tendering systems will put a lock on your account after too many incorrect attempts. If you anticipate going on leave, it would also be worth passing these details over to colleagues. Losing access to your portal account would also mean any opportunities curated need to be found again. Avoid the unnecessary stress by keeping your login details handy!

4. Monitor your system notifications

Online portals will send you system notifications for various reasons. You will receive notifications when clarifications are responded to, or the buyer has relayed an update. You will also receive responses to clarifications made by other bidders for fairness reasons. It is important to keep on top of these so you don’t miss any crucial information. If you miss a notification about amendments to specification criteria, you may then be at risk of rejection.

5. Check grammar before you submit

Consider drafting your responses up in MS Word before pasting them into the text boxes. This yields the advantage of a visible word count, and a spellchecker. This will also ensure you have access to your proposal drafts should a problem occur with the portal. Have a look at our Tender VLE video for information on the editing process and proofreading tips!

6. Be careful of timeouts

Most electronic tendering systems have an automatic timeout system. This logs the user out after a period of inactivity (typically 10-20 minutes). While many portals have an auto-save feature, you should ensure your progress is saved before leaving it for this long.

7. Double-check portal submissions

Before you click that “submit response” button, it is definitely worth checking over your response to ensure accuracy. It may also be worth handing over to another team member to check over with a fresh pair of eyes. This reduces the chances of something being missed or completed incorrectly. Take note of the submission requirements in line with the documents you have attached. If something is out of line with the specified requirements, this can result in automatic rejection.

8. Opt-in to notifications for relevant opportunities

Many online tender portals boast a feature that automatically presents you with opportunities in your industry of choice. This is typically based on inaccurate CPV codes, and it is not always sector-specific. If you’d like more help finding tenders that are right for you, get in touch with the Hudson Discover Team.

Developing technologies in e-tendering

At Hudson Outsourcing, our goal is to help every business we engage with grow. We aim to propagate this by using innovative procurement technologies and smarter methods of working.

Currently in development is our Procure Smart software. This is a prospective technology and compliance solution that uses Artificial Intelligence to bolster procurement efficiency. Procure Smart will use this AI to not only improve the procurement process, but keep in adherence with regulations. The end-goal is to equalise the procurement process and make it more accessible for both suppliers and commissioners.

Need help with electronic tendering?

Many of the mentioned tender portals can be difficult to understand at first. It can take some time to get used navigating them comfortably without detrimental mistakes.

For help and support with the electronic tendering process and writing persuasive bids, contact our Bid Writers at Hudson Succeed.

We have over 60 years of bid writing experience and an 87% success rate. Whether you’re completely new to tendering or aren’t seeing results – they can help. There are four bid writing packages available:

• Tender Writing

Once you’ve found a tender you’d like to go for, send it over to us. One of our Bid Writers will write the tender response for you. They’ll provide a full Tender Writing breakdown and even submit it on your behalf.

• Tender Mentor

Tender Mentor can give your tender response a once over before you submit. The Bid Writing Team will analyse your response, notifying you of any errors and opportunities for improvements prior to submission.

• Tender Ready

During the Tender Ready service, our team will create professional policies, procedures, and case studies in your company branding. If you already have this content, we will review everything carefully to ensure that nothing is missed. This service also helps businesses who are new to tendering with terminology and industry knowledge.

• Tender Improvement

The Tender Improvement package can help those who have tendered before but aren’t seeing results. Our Bid Writers will assess your previous responses and work with you to develop improved content.

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:

• How to win a tender
• What is a Bid Writer?
• The tendering process
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid writing consultants
• Submitting a tender response
• And many more.

The post 8 Tips for Submitting Electronic Tenders appeared first on Tender Consultants.

Got questions about bid and tender writing services? We have the answers! We know that bidding for a contract can be a stressful process, especially for those with little to no experience. So, we put together this blog to help people learn how bid and tender writing services can help them. So, keep reading to learn more about the services available to you and how they could be your best option.

What are bid and tender writing services?

If you are completely new to the tendering process, then you may wonder what bid and tender writing services are. Bid and tender writing services are a form of support you can receive from Tender Writing Consultants.

Bid writing can take up a lot of time and resources. So, bid and tender writing services are often chosen for this reason. In short, these experts will handle the process for you. Read our next section to learn the benefits of bid and tender writing services!

How can bid and tender writing services benefit your business?

Now that you know what bid and tender writing services are, you may wonder what the benefits are. Well, there are several. Here are some of the main benefits:

1.     Increased chance of success

By relying on a professional Bid Writer, you can rest assured that you’ve increased your chances of success. These experts know what it takes to win. They’ve made mistakes and learnt throughout their career. This means if you are new to tendering, you won’t need to go through this learning curve. They’ve already done it and therefore can apply their expertise to give you the best chance of winning.

2.     Takes the pressure off your shoulders

One of the best benefits of bid and tender writing services is that it takes the stress out of the process. You can sit back and relax as the experts do the work on your behalf. They can even submit it for you!

This is certainly a benefit if you are already incredibly busy trying to run a business. The chances are you have little to no time to dedicate to writing a bid. By using bid and tender writing services, you don’t have to sacrifice your time to the bid. You can continue with your usual responsibilities and there is no disruption to your business.

3.     Saves you resources

Running on from our last point, by using bid and tender writing services, you are saving yourself resources. You could always hire an inhouse Bid Writer. However, you’d have to be using them constantly for it to be a worthy investment. Plus, the hiring process can take a lot of time. By using bid and tender writing services, you can get instant support. It saves you money and resources in the long run.

4.     Bid Writers understand documents

One of the most difficult parts of bidding for work is the number of lengthy tender documents to go through. If you aren’t well versed in these, you’ll likely find them overwhelming. You may also miss key details. Experts know exactly what they are looking for and what needs to be prioritised.

Summary

Now that we have discussed bid and tender writing services, let’s recap so nothing is forgotten!

What are bid and tender writing services?

Bid and tender writing services are available from industry professionals. If you are new to or inexperienced with bidding, they can support you. If you aren’t seeing the success you want, they can also help.

How can bid and tender writing services benefit your business?

1.     Increased chance of success

2.     Takes the pressure off your shoulders

3.     Saves you resources

4.     Bid Writers understand tender documents.

Need help searching for tenders?

You may be wondering where you can find a tender for your business. There’s no shortage of websites offering multi-sector tendering opportunities and leads. Ideally, you should be searching for a sector-specific site that posts all unique, public and private sector opportunities.

Our sister company, Hudson Discover, has 11 sector-specific tendering portals.  One centralised and easy-to-navigate portal can help you save time, streamlining the process.

Once signed up, you’ll have access to your own dedicated Account Manager. They’ll be able to answer any questions you may have about public sector contracts. You’ll also get an email alert when new and relevant tenders are uploaded to your sector.

A subscription to one of our industry-specific portals will include:

• Unlimited portal access. You can browse your industry’s portal to your heart’s content. See the hundreds of opportunities that are available, intuitively categorised, and easily accessible.
• A daily email bulletin. When you sign up to a portal, you’ll receive an email alert when new tenders are uploaded.
• A dedicated Account Manager. They’ll handle any questions or queries you may have about the portal.
• A free 20-minute phone consultation with a Bid Writer. Our expert Bid Consultants will chat with you about anything tender related.

What opportunities can I expect from a tender search on a Hudson Discover portal?

We host all kinds of tenders in both the public and private sectors. These are inclusive of, but aren’t limited to:

• Open tenders
• Restricted procedure tenders
• Competitive dialogues
• Negotiated tendering procedures
• Innovation partnerships
• Single supplier contracts
• Framework agreements
• Dynamic Purchasing Systems.

What we can do for you

We have over 60 years of bid writing experience and an 87% success rate. Whether you’re completely new to tendering or aren’t seeing results – they can help. There are four bid writing packages available:

• Tender Writing

Once you’ve found a tender you’d like to go for, send it over to us. One of our Bid Writers will write the tender response for you. They’ll provide a full Tender Writing breakdown and even submit it on your behalf.

• Tender Mentor

Tender Mentor can give your tender response a once over before you submit. The Bid Writing Team will analyse your response, notifying you of any errors and opportunities for improvements prior to submission.

• Tender Ready

During the Tender Ready service, our team will create professional policies, procedures, and case studies in your company branding. If you already have this content, we will review everything carefully to ensure that nothing is missed. This service also helps businesses who are new to tendering with terminology and industry knowledge.

• Tender Improvement

The Tender Improvement package can help those who have tendered before but aren’t seeing results. Our Bid Writers will assess your previous responses and work with you to develop improved content.

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Vocal

Our support doesn’t end there! Our creative content agency, Vocal, are on hand to help.

The Vocal Team are not afraid to stand up and be heard. And we make sure our clients aren’t either! From small, micro businesses to large organisations, we are vocal about the things that make your business unique.

Our creative service is dedicated to growing your business through striking and thought-provoking content. Our team specialise in six areas, including:

• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Branding
• Websites
• Design
• Illustration.

If you’d like to know more about what we can do for your business, introduce yourself to the team!

Contact us today to find out more.

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:

• How to win a tender
• What is a Bid Writer?
• The tendering process
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid writing consultants
• Submitting a tender response
• And many more.

The post Bid and Tender Writing Services: The Secrets to Success! appeared first on Tender Consultants.

As you tender for work, have you ever come across the negotiated tendering procedure? Do you know what it means and how it could work for your business? If not, then don’t worry – by the end of this blog, you will! 

What is negotiated tendering?

Negotiated tendering involves the buyer approaching a single supplier to ask them to deliver the work. This is usually based on the supplier’s track record in the industry, or a previous relationship with the supplier.

Following this, the buyer and supplier will negotiate the terms of the contract.

Why is negotiated tendering used?

Buyers might choose a negotiated tendering procedure for highly specialist contracts. Often, this is considered an appropriate method for contracts where there might be a limited number of suppliers available. This procedure is also used to extend the scope of existing projects.

Which sectors and industries use negotiated tendering procedures?  

Negotiated tendering can be used across a wide range of sectors. However, it is much more common in the private sector than the public sector. This is because, in most cases, public sector organisations are required to advertise contracts and follow an open tendering process.

Similarly, buyers from all industries can use the negotiated tendering method, from logistics to healthcare. However, negotiated tendering is most commonly found in the construction and engineering industries.

Are there any challenges with negotiated tendering?  

While negotiated tendering is appealing to many buyers and suppliers, it’s not without its challenges.

Some organisations view negotiated tendering as exclusive and unfair. This is because there is the potential for ‘cosy’ relationships to develop, meaning other suppliers miss out as a result.

It can also be difficult for smaller businesses to compete in this process. With this method, most suppliers are approached because of their track record in the industry. Therefore, larger businesses with well-known reputations are more likely to grab the buyer’s attention. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible for SMEs to compete.

Let’s recap… 

Negotiated tendering involves the buyer approaching a single supplier to ask them to deliver the work. This is usually based on the supplier’s track record in the industry, or a previous relationship with the supplier.

This process can be used across a range of sectors and industries. However, it is more common in the private sector, particularly within the construction and engineering industries.

Buyers could face certain challenges by using a negotiated tendering procedure. For example, some organisations view this method as exclusive and unfair. In particular, because it can make the tendering process more difficult for SMEs.

How Hudson Succeed can help 

So, what’s next for your business?

Enter Hudson Succeed!

We have over 60 years of bid writing experience and an 87% success rate. Whether you’re completely new to tendering or aren’t seeing results – we can help. There are four bid writing packages available:

• Tender Writing 

Once you’ve found a tender you’d like to go for, send it over to us. One of our Bid Writers will write the tender response for you. We’ll provide a full Tender Writing breakdown and even submit it on your behalf.

• Tender Mentor  

Tender Mentor can give your tender response a once over before you submit it. Our Bid Writing Team will analyse your response, notifying you of any errors and opportunities for improvements prior to submission.

• Tender Ready 

During the Tender Ready service, our team will create professional policies, procedures, and case studies in your company branding. If you already have this content, we will review everything carefully to ensure that nothing is missed. Once the programme is complete, you’ll have access to three days’ worth of bid consultancy. This can be used for bid writing, tender reviews, or general advice and guidance.

• Tender Improvement  

The Tender Improvement package can help those who have tendered before but aren’t seeing results. Our Bid Writers will assess your previous responses and work with you to develop improved content.

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Need help with searching for tenders?

Are you curious about finding tenders for your business?

There’s no shortage of websites offering multi-sector tendering opportunities and leads.

Ideally, you should be searching for a sector-specific site that posts all unique, public and private sector opportunities.

Our sister company, Hudson Discover, has 11 sector-specific tendering portals.  One centralised and easy-to-navigate portal can help you save time, streamlining the process.

Once signed up, you’ll have access to your own dedicated Account Manager. They’ll be able to answer any questions you may have about public sector contracts. Likewise, you’ll also get an email alert when new and relevant tenders are uploaded to your sector.

A subscription to one of our industry-specific portals will include:  

• Unlimited portal access. You can browse your industry’s portal to your heart’s content. See all the opportunities that are available, intuitively categorised, and easily accessible.
• A daily email bulletin. When you sign up to a portal, you’ll receive an email alert when new tenders are uploaded.
• A dedicated Account Manager. They’ll handle any questions or queries you may have about the portal.
• A free 20-minute phone consultation with a Bid Writer. Our expert Bid Consultants will chat with you about anything tender related. 

What opportunities can I expect from a tender search on a Hudson Discover portal?

Hudson Discover hosts all kinds of tenders in both the public and private sectors. These are inclusive of, but aren’t limited to:

• Open tenders
• Restricted procedure tenders
• Competitive dialogues
• Negotiated tendering procedures
• Innovation partnerships
• Single supplier contracts
• Framework agreements
• Dynamic Purchasing Systems.

Discover Elite

If you want to streamline the process even further, you can sign up to Discover Elite via your chosen portal. With this service, a dedicated Account Manager will find live bids on your behalf. They’ll speak with you weekly to discuss opportunities that may interest you. This is especially helpful for those with little time to spare due to busy schedules.

Vocal

Our support doesn’t end there! Our creative content agency, Vocal, are on hand to help.

The Vocal Team are not afraid to stand up and be heard. And we make sure our clients aren’t either! From small, micro-businesses to large organisations, we are vocal about the things that make your business unique.

Our creative service is dedicated to growing your business through striking and thought-provoking content. We’ll take your bid and give it a complete makeover. With professionally designed tender documents, you’re sure to make an impression on the buyer!

Our team specialise in six areas, including:

• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Branding
• Websites
• Design
• Illustration.

If you’d like to know more about what we can do for your business, introduce yourself to the team!

Contact us to find out more! 

Find more helpful tips and advice in our blogs. We cover topics including:   

• How to win a tender
• What is a Bid Writer?
• The tendering process
• Writing winning bids
• 7 tips for tendering for contracts
• Tips for bid management
• Bid writing services
• The types of tendering procedures
• Writing bids
• Bid Writing Consultants
• Submitting a tender response
• And many more.

The post Procurement Procedures Explained: Negotiated Tendering appeared first on Tender Consultants.