tender writer Archives - Tender Consultants

Tender VLE: Our Virtual Bid Learning Environment

John Hudson — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 13:41:33 +0000

Tender VLE

It’s simple — to win contracts, you must have the necessary skills of a bid writer. Mastering the art of writing tender responses comes from strong written communication skills and experience. At Hudson, our bid writers are professionals and they have built up their skills over time. But if you are a start-up or an SME, you may have never bid before.

This is where Tender VLE comes in!

What is Tender VLE?

Tender VLE is the UK’s first virtual learning environment dedicated to bid writing. With five experience levels to choose from, you can take our free and paid tender courses so you can become an expert!

We will help you grow your tendering knowledge in an easy-to-follow dynamic of videos and worksheets, alongside being supported by our experts.

Good news! Our training is suitable for a variety of learners including businesses, freelancers, and aspiring Bid Writers.

When is Tender VLE live?

Our platform is almost ready to go live. After perfecting our development stages, we are making some final tweaks to our learning environment so it is the best platform for our clients. Please bear with us and keep an eye out for when our site goes live!

What Can I Expect from Tender VLE?

There is something for everyone!

From our free beginners’ courses to our expert courses, we cater to all tendering experience levels. Whether you want to kick-start your career as a bid writer, develop your skills as a freelancer or polish up on some areas missing in your expert bid knowledge, Tender VLE can help.

We will cover everything!

Our experts have been meticulous in their research for what to include on our learning platform. In short, we will cover all stages of the tendering process (PQQs, ITTs etc), break down questions, tender planning, management, writing skills, proofing, and branding your response.

How Can Tender VLE Benefit My Business?

This is the most important question — with Tender VLE you will gain the experience to help you win contracts!

Our remote learning experience is designed to suit your needs, wherever you are. This will be your learning journey, which means that you can also tailor your experience to suit your lifestyle. You won’t need to take the focus off running your business – learn as much as you need!

Why Tender for Work?

Guaranteed pay – the suppliers are guaranteed payment when they win a contract.
Goals to spend with SMEs – The UK government aims to spend £1 in £3 with SMEs.
Gain experience – Securing contracts means you gain experience to use for case studies to help you secure further contracts.
Make contacts – Securing contracts means you can increase your contacts and build relationships. This may lead to further work in the future.
Sustainability – Some contracts last for several years so they are a great way of sustaining your business.

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:

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!

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:

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:

The post Tender VLE: Our Virtual Bid Learning Environment appeared first on Tender Consultants.

How to Become a Tender Expert

John Hudson — Wed, 10 May 2023 08:00:46 +0000

How to Become a Tender Expert

Becoming a tender expert is a surefire way to win contracts! However, it takes time and resources to develop this skill. Whether you want to outsource your tender writing needs to our experts or become an expert yourself, we can help you.

In this blog, we will cover what a tender expert is, the skills required, their benefits, how to become one and how to find them.

What is a Tender Expert?

A tender expert is a professional tender writer with vast experience and knowledge in the tendering process. All tender writers will have varying levels of experience; however, the most effective and successful tender writers will have experience spanning many sectors.

Tender Expert Skills

Becoming a tender expert means you must have a particular skill set than just strong written communication skills (though that is important!):

Adaptability: The tendering process is always unpredictable. No tender is the same, meaning the same planning process will not apply, nor will the content of your work. Also, there are bound to be hurdles during the writing process, so being able to adapt to any challenges that may come your way is vital.
Teamwork: Tender responses are rarely written by one writer alone. They are very collaborative, which means that you must be able to provide the best work you can individually, and deliver as a team — providing a seamless, unified response.
Understanding Client Needs: This is the most crucial aspect of the tendering process as without knowing what your client wants from their tender response, you won’t be showing their business in the best possible light. Open communication between the tender expert and the client is vital for keeping up-to-date with client requirements.
Time Management: It goes without saying that you must meet all internal and external deadlines. If you are new to tendering, you may just want to dive right into the tender writing and forget to plan. However, this is a vital part of the process which involves everything from client meetings, research, developing a timeline and planning your responses. Manage your time accordingly so you give yourself ample time to plan!
Compliance: Every tender expert needs a strong understanding of government procurement processes, industry regulations and the ability to meet requirements as stated in the tender specification in order to produce a fully compliant tender. Failure to comply with the specification can get your tender disqualified and failure to comply with laws and regulations can lead to fines and criminal prosecution.

Benefits of Hiring a Tender Expert

Save Time: Hiring a tender expert can save you time and hassle when preparing a tender response. They can take care of all the research and paperwork involved in the process, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.
Maximise Your Chances of Winning: A tender expert will have experience and knowledge of what makes a successful tender and how to present your business in the best light. They can also help you to create a winning tender that stands out from the competition.
Improve Your Quality and Professionalism: Tender experts have the skills and knowledge to craft high-quality, professional, and persuasive tender documents. This can help to give you an edge over your competitors and increase your chances of winning the contract.
Provide Insights into Winning Strategies: Tender experts have a wealth of experience in writing and submitting tenders. They can provide you with insights into winning strategies and provide advice on how to improve your chances of success.
Meet Deadlines: Tender experts understand the importance of meeting deadlines. They can help you to stay on track and ensure that your tender is submitted on time and according to the requirements of the tender.

How to Become a Tender Expert!

Now you know what a tender expert is and the skills you need to become one, let’s take a look at how we can help you become an expert yourself!

Our online virtual learning environment Tender VLE houses our first of many tender training courses. Take our FREE introductory tender course on June 1^st, 2023.

Where to Find Tender Experts!

At Hudson, there is no shortage of tender experts! All of our tender writers are experts and write for a variety of sectors. If you need assistance with your tender, whether it involves writing, reviewing, submission, improvement, or a full end-to-end service, we can help!

Check out our services below!

How we can help!

Tender Writing

Tender Ready

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

Tender Mentor

Contact us:

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:

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:

The post How to Become a Tender Expert appeared first on Tender Consultants.

Top 10 Tendering Secrets

John Hudson — Wed, 03 May 2023 08:00:11 +0000

Top 10 Tendering Secrets

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

Tender Ready

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

Tender Mentor

Contact us

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:

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:

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

Public Sector Frameworks: Everything You Need to Know Before You Apply

John Hudson — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 11:00:01 +0000

Applying for Public Sector Frameworks

Applying for public sector framework contracts can become a complex business, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the process or lack the expertise to execute your tender response effectively.

In this blog, we will guide you through what you need to do in order to prepare your business. We will also cover the importance of contract compliance, pricing accordingly and finally, the benefits and drawbacks of public sector framework agreements.

How to prepare your business to bid for public sector frameworks:

Research the framework landscape: Familiarise yourself with the public sector frameworks that are currently available and the ones that may be coming up. Make sure that your business is eligible to bid for the framework and that it meets the requirements outlined.
Develop a bidding strategy: Analyse the framework requirements and create a comprehensive bidding strategy that outlines how your business can provide the services or products required.
Utilise the right resources: Utilise the resources available through the framework to ensure that you have the right information to make an informed bid.
Create a compliant bid: Ensure your bid is compliant with all relevant regulations and standards, and that it meets the framework’s requirements.
Follow bidding guidelines: Familiarise yourself with the bidding guidelines in the specification and follow them exactly.
Establish relationships: Develop relationships with the relevant public sector bodies and other bidders to increase your chances of success.
Monitor the process: Monitor the process closely to ensure that your bid is progressing as expected and that you have the best chance of being successful.

What resources do I need to bid for a public sector framework contract?

Knowledge of the public sector framework: You will need to understand the terms and conditions of the framework, the requirements of the customer, and the evaluation criteria.
Knowledge of the customer’s needs: You will need to understand the customer’s requirements and how they align with the framework. Most importantly, you must make sure that you can provide the solution to their exact requirements.
Experience in the sector: Understanding the sector the customer operates in and the competition they face will help you to tailor your bid.
A track record of success: Demonstrating previous success in bidding for public sector contracts will strengthen your bid — you will need evidence, usually in the form of relevant case studies!
Access to resources: It is advised that you have access to resources such as legal expertise, financial advice, and project management expertise before choosing to bid.
An understanding of procurement processes: It is important to understand the procurement process and the different stages involved, so you can get a greater understanding of the process from the buyer’s perspective.
A compelling submission: You will need to present a compelling and well-structured submission that meets the customer’s requirements.

Compliance with the Framework:

Below is a checklist you should follow to make sure you can comply with the framework requirements:

Make sure that you are aware of the eligibility requirements for the framework and that your business meets them.
Ensure that your business is properly registered and has all the necessary licenses and permits.
Develop a clear understanding of the bid process and timeline.
Prepare all documents required for the bid, such as business plans, financial statements, and any other supporting documents.
Create a detailed pricing structure and service offering that meets the requirements outlined in the framework.
Identify key contacts and stakeholders within the public sector framework and create a plan to build relationships and secure support.
Identify any risks associated with the framework and develop strategies and processes to mitigate them.
Prepare a detailed response to the framework’s evaluation criteria and ensure that it meets the requirements.
Develop a clear statement of work and contract that outlines the services, deliverables, and payment terms.

Consequences of non-compliance with the framework:

Loss of reputation: Non-compliance with public sector framework contracts can result in damage to the reputation of the company. As a result, government agencies and other public sector entities will be less likely to do business with a company that has failed to comply with the rules stipulated in framework contracts.
Financial penalties: Companies that fail to comply with public sector framework contracts may be subject to financial penalties, including fines, damages, and other punitive measures.
Disqualification from future contracts: Companies that are found to be non-compliant may be disqualified from future public sector framework contracts, thus limiting the company’s ability to do business within the public sector.
Criminal prosecution: In some cases, companies that fail to comply with public sector framework contracts may also face criminal prosecution.

How to price accordingly and competitively for public sector framework contracts:

When pricing for a public sector framework contract, it is important to consider a variety of factors such as the current market rate for similar services, the quality of services offered, the cost of materials if any, the amount of time required to complete the project, and any additional costs associated with the project.

Additionally, research should be done to ensure your pricing is competitive with other suppliers offering the same services. It is also important to consider the cost of compliance with applicable laws and regulations (this varies sector by sector), as well as any additional costs associated with the framework.

Finally, it is important to consider the long-term cost savings that may be achieved by entering into a framework contract.

What are the benefits of securing public sector framework contracts?

Access to a larger pool of customers: Public sector frameworks, such as government-managed contracts, allow businesses to bid on and win contracts from a much larger customer base than the private sector.
More stability and predictability: Public sector frameworks offer more stability and predictability than private sector contracts, as they are often long-term contracts and the terms are fixed and predictable.
Easier to access: Public sector frameworks are also typically easier to access than private sector contracts, as they often require fewer qualifications and certifications.
Faster payment process: Public sector contracts typically have a faster payment process than private sector contracts, as the government is legally bound to pay on time and in full.
Increased visibility: By bidding for public sector frameworks, businesses can increase their visibility to potential customers, as government-managed contracts are often highly publicised and well-known.

What are the drawbacks of public sector framework contracts?

Lack of competition: Public sector framework contracts typically involve a limited number of suppliers, meaning that there can be little competition or incentive to offer the most competitive rates or services.
Lack of innovation: Framework contracts can limit the ability of public sector bodies to access the most innovative solutions or services.
Limited capacity: Public sector framework contracts can limit the capacity of public sector bodies to respond to changing needs or requirements.
Risk of corruption: Public sector framework contracts can often involve complex processes and procedures, leaving them open to abuse and corruption.

Hint: If you want to read more about public and private sector contracts, we have a blog on common misconceptions here!

How we can help!

Tender Writing

Tender Ready

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

Tender Mentor

Contact us:

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:

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:

The post Public Sector Frameworks: Everything You Need to Know Before You Apply appeared first on Tender Consultants.