Frameworks & DPS' Archives - Tender Consultants

How to Win Healthcare Tenders: Our 10 Top Tips!

John Hudson — Tue, 23 May 2023 11:54:56 +0000

How to Win Healthcare Tenders: Our 10 Top Tips!

Winning healthcare tenders is a skill that our team at Hudson have successfully crafted over the years. We specialise in a variety of sectors, however many healthcare companies in both the UK and US come to us for help because we are good at what we do. Whether you are an SME, start-up, or large organisation, we can help you win healthcare tenders!

What are healthcare tenders?

Healthcare tenders are public offers for healthcare services or supplies that are made available by healthcare providers or government agencies.

They are generally used as a way for healthcare providers to acquire goods and services at competitive prices. These tenders may involve both public and private sector entities, as well as local and international providers.

Healthcare tenders come in many different sectors:

Domiciliary Care
Home Care
Social Care
Dentistry
Nursing
Medical PPE
Medical Equipment

And more!

What are frameworks?

Frameworks ask one or multiple supplier(s) to deliver goods/services across potentially multiple locations. In the public-funded care sector, frameworks are key to any healthcare business.
Frameworks such as ones by the NHS Supply Chain, NHS Procurement Hubs and local government (Council) give SME’s and start-ups invaluable opportunities for growth. While frameworks differ between Single Provider and Multi-provider Framework Agreements, the opportunity to showcase your involvement with large contract values will only strengthen your company’s reputation.

What is a DPS?

A DPS or Dynamic Purchasing System, are very similar to frameworks and some will even use the terms interchangeably. However, there are some subtle differences.

Ultimately, DPS’ are more accessible than generic frameworks. You can apply for, and leave, the DPS at any point while its running. It is also an entirely electronic process which makes it more accessible in our modern technologically advanced age.

What do I need to bid on healthcare tenders?

If you are looking to bid on a healthcare tender, you need to know these 6 steps:

1. Understand your business’s capabilities: Before bidding on any healthcare tender, it is important to understand the capabilities of your business and ensure that it is able to deliver the services outlined in the tender.

2. Analyse the risk: Healthcare tenders require attention to detail and an understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with the opportunity. Before bidding, carefully review the tender documents and understand what is expected of you and your business. This should include assessing risk factors such as financial, expectational and the dedication of resources (including time) to bid.

3. Know the regulations? Healthcare tenders usually have specific regulations that must be followed. Are you CQC registered? Do you meet the financial threshold, number of years in business etc?

4. Consider the budget constraints: Budgets are an important part of any tender, as they will determine the success or failure of the contract. Make sure you understand the budget constraints outlined in the tender and calculate the associated costs beforehand. Your own pricing is something you have to take control of yourself.

5. Prepare your bid: Take the time to prepare a comprehensive tender response that covers all the specified requirements. Include detailed information and be sure to adhere to all deadlines set during the tender process (this includes your own internal deadlines for your bid writing team).

6. Follow the instructions carefully: Make sure you follow all the instructions exactly as laid out in the tender documents. Any errors or omissions may result in the disqualification or failure of your bid.

Where to find healthcare tenders!

Even if you haven’t found the right healthcare tender for you, we can help you find them! On our portal — Healthcare Tenders!

We house tenders from across the UK and upload new healthcare tenders daily from all sectors including domiciliary care, social care, dentistry, medical equipment and nursing etc. If you want to know if we have any tenders available in your chosen location and sector, contact us!

Alternatively, check out our website where you can see what we do, book a free demo with us and join Healthcare Tenders.

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

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 How to Win Healthcare Tenders: Our 10 Top Tips! 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.

Public Sector Framework Agreements: The Complete Guide

Millie Newbold — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 06:00:43 +0000

Learn all about public sector framework agreements

Are you curious about public sector framework agreements? Do you want to learn about the different types and what this could mean for your business?

In this blog, we’ll look at framework agreements in more detail, as well as the benefits of being on one. Keep reading for more…

What are the types of public sector framework agreements?

Single-supplier framework agreements

The first type of framework agreement is a single-supplier framework. With this method, contracts are awarded to a single supplier to complete works over a set period.

Within public sector framework agreements, when the buyer requires the products or services, they will release an individual contract. These are known as call-off contracts.

Why do buyers use single-supplier framework agreements?

Buyers might choose to use single-supplier frameworks for many reasons, including:

Reduced administration costs and a streamlined procurement process.
Increased value for money, due to the competitive nature of the initial tendering process.
Details of the products or services have already been agreed upon at the beginning of the contract. Therefore, goods or services can be procured at short notice.

Multi-supplier framework agreements

On the other hand, multi-supplier framework agreements are contracts between the buyer and one or more businesses.

Most multi-supplier frameworks are separated into Lots. Typically, the buyer will be looking for a particular number of suppliers per Lot. However, it’s possible for suppliers to bid for more than one Lot. If they meet the requirements of the contract, for instance.

So, what do multi-supplier public sector framework agreements look like? Here’s an example of how a multi-provider framework for creative services could be put together:

LOTs:

1: Graphic Design & Branding

2: Marketing & PR

3: Event Management.

In particular, these contracts are great for newer businesses with little tendering experience. This is because the buyer is looking for more suppliers, so there’s a greater chance of success.

What are the benefits of public sector framework agreements?

There are many advantages of public sector framework agreements, for buyers and suppliers. We’ve already covered the benefits for buyers above, but the benefits for suppliers include:

Framework agreements are ideal for first-time tenderers
If successful, suppliers can build their experience and use this to develop case studies
Public sector framework agreements can positively impact the supplier’s reputation in the industry
Suppliers can spend less time on admin and more time on delivering for their business
It’s a great way to build long-term relationships with buyers.

In summary

There are two types of public sector framework agreements that you should be aware of. For instance, these include:

Single-supplier framework agreements
Multi-supplier framework agreements.

There are many benefits of securing a place on a framework, including:

They’re great for first-time tenderers
Suppliers can build experience and develop case studies
They can positively impact the supplier’s reputation
Frameworks require less admin
It’s a great way to build long-term relationships with buyers.

How Hudson Succeed can help

So, now you know all about public sector framework agreements. But 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:

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:

The post Public Sector Framework Agreements: The Complete Guide appeared first on Tender Consultants.

A Guide to Crown Commercial Service Frameworks

Georgie Morgan — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 07:00:31 +0000

Crown Commercial Service Framework FAQs

[Last modified: July 2021]

The Crown Commercial Service frameworks help the UK’s public sector save money when buying common goods and services. The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is the biggest public procurement organisation in the UK.

They help buyers in the central government, public and third sectors to purchase a wide range of services and goods. From building materials to police cars and networks to nursing staff – they cover a wide and varied range. Crown Commercial Service frameworks are also referred to as Crown Commercial Service (CCS) commercial agreements.

Crown Commercial Service frameworks allow their buyers to get the best commercial deals in the interests of taxpayers. Being a supplier on Crown Commercial Service frameworks can be a lucrative opportunity for your business. Tendering for contracts has many advantages, particularly for SMEs.

If you’re wondering how Crown Commercial Service frameworks work, read our guide below.

What is purchased via Crown Commercial Service frameworks?

There are four main categories and a number of sub-categories of Crown Commercial Service framework agreements. They are as following:

Buildings

Construction
Energy
Workplace

Corporate Solutions

Document Management & Logistics
Financial Services
Fleet
Marcomms & Research
Office and Travel

People

Contract Centres
People Services
Professional Services
Workforce Health & Education
PSR & Permanent Recruitment

Technology

Digital Future
Network Services
Software & Cyber
Technology Products & Services

How to respond to Crown Commercial Service frameworks

In order to respond to tender opportunities, you will need to be registered on the CCS eSourcing tool. To register, you will need to provide the following information:

The full legal name of your organisation.
Your DUNS number (a unique nine-digit number provided to your organisation by Dun & Bradstreet).
Profile information describing your organisation and the size of your business.

What are Crown Commercial Service frameworks?

Buyers are able to purchase everyday goods and services such as office supplies from the CCS catalogue. The CCS publishes commercial agreements for more complex procurements. For example, if one is looking to buy a fleet of vehicles, they would be procured via a framework.

A framework comprises a description of common public sector requirements. They are multi-supplier agreements and these suppliers have been evaluated and deemed capable of delivering the requirements and contract. Frameworks are typically divided into lots, often by product, service type or location. There are various tendering procedures used by a buyer to purchase something. Businesses looking to buy from a framework can directly award a supplier or run a further mini competition among suppliers.

Further competitions

Further competitions enable the purchase on high-value or complex goods or services. Anything from stationary to complex facility management. These Crown Commercial Service frameworks can run from a few weeks, to several months depending on the complexity of requirements. Further competitions allow an open and fair procurement process for potential suppliers.

3 key things to note

Here are some things to consider when writing bids:

Timing

Once a framework has been awarded, additional suppliers can’t be added – unlike a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). If this is the case, you will need to wait until the next opening arises. As mentioned above, the length of Crown Commercial Service frameworks can vary from a couple of months to years.

New procurements often start several months in advance of the active arrangement’s expiry date. This is because the procurement process can take a number of months to complete. It all depends on the complexity of the goods or services being procured.

Sub-contracting

Sometimes there may not be tendering opportunities available in your area of business. If this is the case, you may be able to sub-contract your services to suppliers on existing arrangements. For this to happen, you should directly contact the relevant supplier. Suppliers can be found on the CCS website.

The Government eMarketplace

Registering on the Government eMarketplace will enable you to advertise your capability to supply products or services. The eMarketplace is an online marketplace providing customers with a request for quote (RFQ) service for low-value, less complex purchases. This enables you to supply on a national or regional basis without the need of going through the tendering process.

Any supplier can register for the marketplace. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that registering on this marketplace does not mean you’re a CCS supplier. You will not be listed on the Crown Commercial Service website as a supplier. This shouldn’t dishearten you as it is still a great way to secure a pipeline of work.

Where can I find Crown Commercial Service Frameworks?

You’re able to find Crown Commercial Service frameworks by registering with the government’s Contract Finder and Tenders Electronic Daily (TED). These two services can be used for finding tender opportunities relevant to your business area.

TED is the online version of the supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Contracts Finder shows the longer term and wider government pipeline. You are able to find all public sector tenders over £10,000 here. It’s automatically updated every weekday night with new notices published on TED.

Both sites will give you information about both CCS and wider government tender opportunities. You will need to constantly monitor the procurement pipeline for new opportunities. This can all take quite a lot of time out of your day or night.

What if we told you, there’s an easier way to go about this that streamlines the process, saving you time?

Enter…Hudson Discover!

Hudson Discover gives you access to all the Crown Commercial Service frameworks, unique and public sector opportunities in your industry. Find them all in one, easy-to-use, central portal.

At Hudson Discover, we house 11 sector-specific tendering portals. These consist of:

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

Unlimited portal access. You can browse your industries portal to your heart’s content. See the hundreds of opportunities that are available, intuitively categorised and easily accessible. You’ll have access to all unique, public and private tendering opportunities in one place.
A daily email bulletin. Receive email alerts when new tenders are uploaded, straight to your inbox.
Filter results. There’s no reliance on inaccurate CPV codes. You are able to filter and search results by keyword, location budget and more. This allows you to find the perfect opportunity for your business.
A dedicated Account Manager. They’ll handle any questions or queries you may have about the portal.
A free 20-minutes phone consultation with a Bid Writer. Our expert bid consultants will chat with you for 20-minutes about anything tender-related. They can recommend all the tender searching options that are available to you.

Need assistance securing a place on a Crown Commercial Service framework?

If being a supplier on a CCS framework is something your business is interested in, we can help. It’s understandable if you don’t have the necessary resources or time to complete an application in-house. Our dedicated Hudson Succeed team have over 60 years bid writing experience, boasting an 87% success rate. We have secured direct contract wins totalling over £300million for our clients. We offer four bid writing support services.

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect Crown Commercial Service framework for your business, why not send it our way? Our Bid Writers can take care of it all for you. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown. They’ll even submit it on your behalf. The tendering process is time-consuming which is why we are here to help with writing bids.

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your own tender response and need someone to double-check it for errors, Tender Mentor can help. The Bid Team will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar or spelling mistakes. They’ll also ensure that it’s in line with the specification before you submit.

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 make sure you have everything in place to tender successfully. Tender Ready offers your business:

A 12-month subscription to one of our Hudson Discover portals.
Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding Professionals.
An Organisation-wide Bid library, including 3 case studies, 5 CV’s and 8 policies.
Additional flexible benefit options.

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing the results you want, our Tender Improvement package can help. Our Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents, working with you to improve for future submissions.

Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can help optimise your tendering efforts – even when you’re busy. Our two new time-saving tools can improve your competitor awareness and success rate.

The Ultimate Time Saver package offers your business:

A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option can help businesses that overlap two industries such as Healthcare and Facilities, for example.
Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
Buyer portal management, including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid
Weekly phone calls with your dedicated Account Manager to discuss viable tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package also includes:

All of the above.
Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

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

The post A Guide to Crown Commercial Service Frameworks appeared first on Tender Consultants.

An Expert Guide to Single Provider Framework Agreements

Nick Eyley — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 11:15:48 +0000

An Introduction to Single Provider Framework Agreements

Single provider framework agreements are a method of contracting a single company to complete works over a set period of time. The client will then ‘call off’ works each time their particular products or service are required.

Where this happens, single provider framework agreements have a set of terms and conditions which are in place for the duration of the agreement. This means that every time there is a call off under the agreement the products/services are delivered to the same rules.

Simply put; Single Provider Framework agreements happen when a single company is contracted to provide set outcomes for a set duration.

How do I get one?

European Union public contracts laws mean that if the total value of a framework agreement exceeds certain values, then it needs to be advertised. The limits vary depending on the works required and are explained HERE.

When this happens, companies bid to deliver the requirements of the contract in a process called e-tendering.

The process for e-tendering is explained in the link.

Single provider frameworks are awarded through this competition. After you have competed with other companies, and won, you will enter into a contract directly with the client delivering their requirements, normally on an ‘as and when’ basis.

Things to consider when you bid for a Single Provider Framework Agreement

Bidding for that one successful place on a single provider framework agreement can be a complicated experience and a time-consuming process. There are lots of things you need to carefully consider before you submit a tender:

The time and effort required

Tendering for these opportunities requires a lot of time and effort. Do you have the time to dedicate to producing the level of quality response you need to be successful?

If you’re not sure you can, then we can help you with this. Why not take advantage of our tender writing services?

Your business placement in the wider market

Are you in the best position to tender for this opportunity? Can you afford to tender for a single provider framework agreement if you’re not yet strong enough to be successful?

If you’re not sure you are strong enough to bid successfully for a Single Provider Framework Agreement, try our virtual learning environment. Here you can ensure you get the most from tendering. Tender VLE is our free innovative virtual learning environment for businesses wishing to secure work within the UK.

Your unique selling points

Understanding what you can offer that others cannot is a key part requirement to win any framework agreement. Successful contract wins come from being prepared and being sensible with your submissions.

Our Tender Consultants can work with you to identify your sweet spot based on your experience, abilities and service offering. Our Tender Ready service can help you lay solid foundations for winning that single provider framework agreement.

What the rules are for single provider framework agreements

So, you’ve been awarded a place as the single provider under a framework agreement – Congratulations!

But what does this mean for you in reality?

Framework agreements are governed by The Public Contract Regulations (2015) and these set out how contracts are managed. These are the rules for what you and your client need to do throughout the duration of the works you are contracted for.

When you win a framework agreement, you agree with the Client the terms for all contracted works within the length of the framework:

You agree as part of your tender the price you will charge for services/products delivered
You agree the minimum standard of works you will deliver e.g. product quality, level of service etc.

Additionally, on a single provider framework agreement there are two rules you must obey:

You can only be awarded work which comes under the agreement you originally tendered for

And

Your client can ask you to provide more information if they want to before they give you any work.

The maximum framework agreement term is 4 years and is set by the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) document. However, your client may choose to set a shorter duration for your framework agreement.

There are a number of reasons this might happen:

The client does not expect the works will take 4 years to complete.
The service is not required for the entire 4 years maximum duration.
The client wants to be able to assess your ability to complete the works and be able to change suppliers

Why do Clients use Framework agreements just for one supplier?

Framework Agreements offer a number of advantages for the contracting authority:

Increased value for money by using a centralised procurement, cutting down on red tape and unnecessary processes.
There is a single tendering exercise over the life of the arrangement of the contract. This saves on administration and costs for the client
The client can ensure they get the best price from the successful supplier due to the competitive way in which the framework is awarded
Under the framework agreement, the range of the supply of items or services is agreed at the start of the contract. This means the client can request these items or services at short notice as required. This reduces the need to hold goods and materials and saves costs.
Framework agreements are a way of establishing a long-term working relationship with the supplier.

There are also benefits for you, the supplier on a Single Provider Framework Agreement:

Long term contracts help you to grow your business.
Long term planning allows for cost efficiency ordering stock/materials.
Mutually beneficial long-term working relationships with the Client.

Need a little more information?

Framework agreements can be difficult to understand and even harder to secure. They require a lot of patience to navigate effectively but can ultimately drive long term growth for your business.

For help and support with securing your next (or first!) Framework Agreement check out Tender VLE, or for more bespoke and dedicated support, contact one of our Bid Management Consultants today who will be happy to help!

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

The post An Expert Guide to Single Provider Framework Agreements appeared first on Tender Consultants.

Call Off Contracts – What Are They and How Are They Used?

Ben Glaister — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 17:30:06 +0000

Call Off Contracts and Tendering

Last updated: Jun 7, 2022 @ 4:05 pm

Background and context to call off contracts

Public sector procurement has evolved from being conducted solely through the simple process of individual tenders for individual contracts. More and more public sector organisations these days, are using “framework agreements.”

A framework agreement is effectively a list of pre-qualified suppliers who can bid for work around a certain group of goods and/or services – typically having tendered for their place on the framework.

Framework agreements can last anywhere from a few months to over a decade but typically last between two and five years.

Framework Structure

As part of the framework structure, buyers can then award individual contracts (call off contracts) for the delivery of specific goods and services. Each contract will have their own specific conditions, terms and clauses, throughout the duration of the framework.

Effectively, to be in with a chance of being hired, the first stage is to get onto a framework agreement. Typically this happens through a process of tendering where suppliers bid not to deliver work, but merely for a place on the framework.

Secondly, to actually start working with a buyer and to deliver goods and services, suppliers need to be selected to take part in the call off stage.

What is a call off contract?

Simply, call off contracts are individual contracts that fall under framework agreements.

Purchasing organisations may set stringent and bespoke conditions for a framework. Alternatively, boilerplate conditions which can then be modified as part of individual call off contracts; these will contain additional information specific to that contract.

Indeed, a call off contract will set out the terms and conditions for specific purchases on framework agreements.

This type of contract is an open arrangement under a framework. A purchaser can request that a supplier provide goods and/or services under prices, conditions and terms specified in each individual call off contract.

Typically, call off contracts are used for the purchase of materials. A call off contract is typically regarded as a purchase order which facilitates bulk orders over a period of time.

These are normally used in the construction and utility sectors where projects can last for months or even years.

Call off contracts and the DPS

A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) is similar to a framework in that it can last for many years. However, unlike a framework, buyers can tender for entry onto a DPS at any point if it’s live.

Therefore, a buyer would still be able to tender now, in 2020, for an open DPS which began in 2017. Should they win a place on the DPS, they will be issued with a contract by the buyer.

Because the DPS can span many years, it is organised into ‘rounds’. Each round has a deadline and when it expires, a new round (and supplier bid intake) is created. Typically, each round should be identical, unless there have been amendments to the tender documents following a clarification.

A framework, or DPS, is often lucrative, however, it does not firmly guarantee work under that framework. There are several factors which could affect success:

Number of suppliers accepted onto the framework
How competitively suppliers price their services
Fluctuating requirements of work in the region.

For example, whilst work may be busy one year, market and social conditions could change the next. The first months of the coronavirus pandemic are a good example. In the initial two months, supply and demand for healthcare frameworks were heavy. There was an increased demand for frameworks and DPS’s which needed healthcare workers, medical equipment and PPE.

Comparatively, due to restrictive measures, there was a complete decrease in demand for hospitality sector products and services. Therefore, many hospitality industry suppliers on a framework or DPS would have struggled to win work.

A call off contract typically comes under three categories:

Online submission and award
Sealed bids
Direct award.

Let’s look at these in more detail.

Pricing call off contracts

The buyer will generally settle the call off contracts with the supplier that has submitted either:

The lowest product prices

Although the price is often pre-determined, depending on the buyer, the lowest product prices can come out on top. These are often negotiated to include discounts for bulk orders. This can help some manage cash flows and orders. However, this is not always the case. In recent years, public procurement has had a focus on tenders with the most value for money.

The most economically advantageous tender (MEAT)

The contract is more often than not award to the MEAT within public sector procurement. This is to enable a level playing field and allows the procurer to get the best value for money. The MEAT does not always mean the cheapest bid wins, the buyer is looking at more than just the price.

A buyer may rank call off contracts on a range of factors including, but not limited to:

Value for money
Ability to meet timelines
Approach to identifying and managing risk
Equality, diversity, environmental and inclusion policies
Innovation
Accessibility.

Online submission

A buyer will contact all awardees on the DPS to notify them of the call-off contract. Following this, they will hold an online mini-competition. This can be via a portal or email submission.

Mini-competition advantages:

Speed

Mini-competitions within call off contracts offer a faster tender process. There’s no need to assess successful supplier’s capability and capacity to provide the buyer’s requirements. All of the pre-selection criteria have been checked such as economic financial standing, technical capability, health and safety, and so on.

Savings

There may still be the opportunity to have additional cost savings if the price has not been fixed.

Sealed bids

Instead of directly delivering the work, some buyers may require further bidding following contract award. These can be in the form of a ‘mini-competition’. Here, buyers can choose which work they want to bid for under the DPS. They would then enter a ‘mini-competition’ against other DPS awardees, to deliver their chosen services.

Unlike the DPS, mini-competitions have strict timelines by which to submit a bid. The buyer will typically provide the work to the bid with the lowest price. This is because all suppliers will be on an equal ‘quality’ standing through the DPS award.

The term ‘sealed bid’ means that no bidder is aware of their competitors offer. The buyer’s panel will open all mini-competition bids at the same time to assess who has the best offering

Depending on terms and conditions, some suppliers may be penalised if they do not bid for work following DPS award.

Direct award

A direct award is typically reserved for special occasions when the work required is very urgent. This could be an emergency situation where delays could risk health, safety, or other factors. For example, the provision of medical equipment. The buyer will directly select a supplier who is willing and able to deliver the specification.

Framework awards

Framework awards will detail the specifics of the call-off contract. Typically, a framework award will detail:

Supplier details, such as name and business registration number
Framework contract details (including Lot specifics)
Contract deliverables
The framework’s start and end date, including any extension periods
The call-off order procedure (direct award, competition, etc.)
Framework terms
Framework prices
All contracted staff details, such as name, title, phone number and email address.

This contract will be duly signed by the contracting authority and the supplier.

Why are they used?

The benefit of a call off contract is that they allow the supply of materials, goods and services to be secured over multiple delivery dates across the length of a project.

Hence, a buyer does not have to hold excess stock unnecessarily on site – instead, they can “call off” stock when it is required.

This generally facilitates the reduction of the risk of material loss and damage. It is likely to occur by taking delivery of an entire quantity of materials at once.

We have heard stories of clients taking delivery of all of their materials for a project on Friday, only to find on Monday morning, that the whole batch was damaged in a fire over the weekend. This would lead to the loss and replacement of all materials.

Of course, had the client, in this example, engaged in call off contracts to stagger the delivery of their materials, only a small proportion would have been damaged.

Staggering the delivery

Indeed, staggering the delivery of materials, as per a call off contract, allows buyers and suppliers to be more precise, careful and organised with the materials they use.

Moreover, staggering the delivery of materials helps reduce the cost of preliminaries such as rent, fencing, storage costs and security.

In simple terms, taking delivery of smaller proportions of parts and materials at a time means fewer people are needed to;

Receive materials
Organise materials
Guard these materials.

Other reductions in cost, a smaller warehouse/plot of land is needed to store these, reducing rent and other associated bills.

This dispenses with the need for multiple purchase orders, rather, orders and invoices are raised as they are required until the contract is fulfilled, or the end of the order period is reached.

Call off contracts are typically negotiated with pre-determined pricing.

They often include discounts for bulk orders, making for a more cost-efficient service for buyers.

Call off schedules

Buyers may make specific schedules of requirements relating to the particular work needing delivered during call off. This could come under categories including:

Pricing requirements and clarifications
Staff
Transfers of staff
Implementation plans
Service level agreements
Background checks
Business continuity plans and disaster recovery
Exit management
Security
Contract management
Specification deliverables

Lots

Typically with frameworks and any DPS, they will be divided into works. Therefore, the schedules will be specific to each lot’s call-off contract. This will also be tailored to industry-specific requirements. For example, the healthcare sector may require more in-depth background checks than the construction sector.

Hudson Discover

We can help you secure a pipeline of work for your business via DPS and framework agreements. We understand how time-consuming the procurement process can be, and we want to help your business grow. Finding the time to search for relevant opportunities for your business can take hours that you don’t have. So, here at Hudson, we’ve made it a lot easier.

Hudson Discover’s sector-specific portals streamline the tendering process bringing you unique, private and public sector opportunities. The easy-to-navigate portals save you time when searching for the right tendering opportunity for your business.

Hudson Discover houses 11 sector-specific tendering portals.

Our Opportunity Trackers manually search and upload relevant sector-specific opportunities. You are able to filter the results by location, budget, keyword and more. This means no more missed opportunities due to unreliable CPV codes.

A subscription to one of our portals includes:

A team of Opportunity Trackers sourcing unique, public and private tenders and leads from thousands of sources.
An on-hand Account Manager that’s dedicated to answering any questions you may have.
Discounted support from Hudson Succeed – our Bid Writing division.
A daily email bulletin containing all the tenders that have been uploaded that day.
20-minutes of free live bid consultancy every month with our Bid Experts.

Upgrade to Discover Elite

Never miss a call off contract opportunity again with Discover Elite – even when you’re busy! We can save you even more time with our two upgraded packages. They are particularly useful if your business runs across two sectors such as Technology and Healthcare, for example.

The Ultimate Time-Saving Tool offers your business:

Up to five bid breakdowns per month to help you make bid or no-bid
An annual subscription to a maximum of two Discover portals of your choice.
An Account Manager to help track the perfect tender opportunities for your business.
Weekly phone calls with your Account Manager to discuss viable tendering opportunities.
Award and pre-market engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
Public and private buyer portal management. This includes registering, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid strategy.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package offers your business:

All of the above.
Up to seven breakdowns per month.
The development of a bid strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

In conclusion

Call off contracts allow buyers to:

Streamline their receipt of goods and services
Better organise their projects by having fixed dates for service and delivery
Reduce waste by doing away with the need to, for example, take delivery of all bricks for the construction of a house at once. Instead, this can be staggered across numerous deliveries throughout the life of the agreement.

These contracts also are a benefit to suppliers, who are guaranteed business over a long period of time.

This will help them manage the following:

Books
Cash flow
Their orders

If you’re confused by procurement terminology, would like things to be a little clearer, or just want things explained in plain English, head over to Tender VLE. Our VLE platform is the UK’s first free, online, virtual learning environment, dedicated to tendering.

Further Support

We can support you write winning bids. Get in touch if you need an expert second pair of eyes to review your tender submission, help you cut through the jargon, or to take the weight off your shoulders completely. Speak to one of our Consultants or Bid Writers today to see how our expert team can help you tender for contracts.

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

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Procurement Terminology – Defined

John Hudson — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 11:13:56 +0000

Procurement terminology can be confusing. Don’t worry – acronyms are rife in the procurement sector!

Last updated: Dec 17, 2021 @ 2:01 pm

Understanding basic UK procurement terminology goes a long way when tendering!

The amount of abbreviations flying around is becoming increasingly common in the procurement world. Terms like RFQs, ITTs, PQQs, DPS and RFPs seems like they are only used to confuse us into a state of literary decline.

Let’s simplify some of the basics that you’ll undoubtedly come into contact with:

PQQ – Pre-qualification questionnaire – this is usually a stage-1 questionnaire asking about specific company details like insurance and similar contracts you’ve worked on etc., along with simple ‘yes and no’ questions making sure you’re not fraudulent and you pay your taxes etc. Click here for our blog explaining PQQs.
ITT – Invitation to Tender – we can sometimes forget the PQQ and jump straight into an ITT, which is usually where your quality and costing ratio comes in. This is where you price the job at hand and answer several technical questions about your ability to undergo the work in accordance with usually detailed specification/scopes of work. Click here for our blog explaining ITTs.
RFP – Request for Proposal – very similar to an ITT where cost and quality are assessed however RFPs are used in situations where the client either can’t – or doesn’t want to – define the scope of work up front to an adequate level of detail, meaning you need to be very descriptive and to make a clear proposal, detailing exactly what is needed.
RFQ – Request for Quotation – The RFQ is a lot like the Tender, however typically smaller in size and scope. They’re often more geared towards clients who are seeking pricing information for a defined scope of work or supply of materials or equipment. Detailed proposals are typically less often sought here.

Frameworks & DPS

Framework Agreement – A Multi-Provider Framework Agreement is predominantly an agreement between one or more businesses or organisations. If you enter into a framework agreement, usually you will be one of many suppliers contractually bound to deliver against buyer requirements. You can be a part of Single-supplier framework agreements, where call-offs/ad-hoc work is considered as part of the contract. See Tender VLE for our Frameworks video here.
DPS – Dynamic Purchasing System – A DPS is similar to an electronic framework agreement, with two exceptions, new suppliers can join at any time and it is to be run as a completely electronic process. DPS is used exclusively by public sector organisations and it can be considered as a ‘competitive supply chain’, where all chosen supply chain members regularly compete for work via ITTs and RFQs.
TUPE – Transfer of Undertakings of Professional Employment – when employees are transferred from one company to another due to contract changeover. Click here for more information on TUPE, by Tender VLE.

Tender Documents:

Remember that on Tender Documents, especially if they’re large documents, you will find a glossary of definitions from the buyer. Familiarise yourself with these so you understand certain abbreviations and terminology that are used throughout the tender.

A full list of procurement terminology that is available via the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). This includes a boatload of information relating to tenders and general procurement of goods/services.

Why don’t you join our LinkedIn forum and LEAVE US A MESSAGE if you’re having trouble with understanding specific terms? We’ll endeavour to answer anything! Our Bid Writers can help you understand the tendering process and write a winning bid today!

Our 11 industry-specific platforms, allow you to discover those all-important tendering opportunities, both public and private. Should you need any assistance tendering for contracts, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our Bid Management Consultants.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU SUCCEED!

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

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Framework Agreements – Everything you need to know

John Hudson — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 08:30:43 +0000

Framework Agreements

Last updated: Dec 17, 2021 @ 2:02 pm

‘Framework Agreements’ are most commonly scattered across our multiple tendering portals, asking for multiple suppliers to deliver/supply either one or more services/goods across various locations. Sounds pretty broad, right?

Well, through utilising a Framework Agreement, this is a much smarter way of working for a lot of buyers and procurement agencies and although it may be a contractual headache at times, the long-term aspects to delivery remain progressive and more and more users across the UK procurement sector.

See our ‘Terminology’ masterclass for a list of other tender-related phrases that are used in UK procurement.

Single provider framework agreements

Simply put; Single Provider Framework agreements happen when a single company is contracted to provide set outcomes for a set duration.

How do I get one?

When this happens, companies bid to deliver the requirements of the contract in a process called e-tendering.

The process for e-tendering is explained in the link.

Things to consider when you bid for a Single Provider Framework Agreement

The time and effort required

Tendering for these opportunities requires a lot of time and effort. Do you have the time to dedicate to producing the level of quality response you need to be successful?

If you’re not sure you can, then we can help you with this. Why not take advantage of our tender writing services?

Your business placement in the wider market

Are you in the best position to tender for this contract opportunity? Can you afford to tender for a single provider framework agreement if you’re not yet strong enough to be successful?

Your unique selling points

What the rules are for single provider framework agreements

So, you’ve been awarded a place as the single provider under a framework agreement – Congratulations!

But what does this mean for you in reality?

When you win a framework agreement, you agree with the Client the terms for all contracted works within the length of the framework:

You agree as part of your tender the price you will charge for services/products delivered
You agree the minimum standard of works you will deliver e.g. product quality, level of service etc.

Additionally, on a single provider framework agreement there are two rules you must obey:

You can only be awarded work that comes under the agreement you originally tendered for.
Your client can ask you to provide more information if they want to before they give you any work.

The maximum framework agreement term is 4 years and is set by the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) document. However, your client may choose to set a shorter duration for your framework agreement.

There are a number of reasons this might happen:

The client does not expect the works will take 4 years to complete.
The service is not required for the entire 4 years maximum duration.
The client wants to be able to assess your ability to complete the works and be able to change suppliers

Why do Clients use Framework agreements just for one supplier?

Framework Agreements offer a number of advantages for the contracting authority:

Increased value for money by using a centralised procurement, cutting down on red tape and unnecessary processes.
There is a single tendering exercise over the life of the arrangement of the contract. This saves on administration and costs for the client
The client can ensure they get the best price from the successful supplier due to the competitive way in which the framework is awarded
Under the framework agreement, the range of the supply of items or services is agreed at the start of the contract. This means the client can request these items or services at short notice as required. This reduces the need to hold goods and materials and saves costs.
Framework agreements are a way of establishing a long-term working relationship with the supplier.

There are also benefits for you, the supplier on a Single Provider Framework Agreement:

Long term contracts help you to grow your business.
Long term planning allows for cost efficiency ordering stock/materials.
Mutually beneficial long-term working relationships with the Client.

Multi-provider framework agreements

Multi-provider Framework Agreements are quite simply, contracts or agreements between one or more organisations. There is such a thing as Single Provider Framework Agreements, where one provider is utilised for ad-hoc call-off requests for particular services/goods, however, that is a story for another day.

The majority of Frameworks include LOTs, which is basically individual or combined lists of services and goods. The following example shows how Framework Agreements are put together.

A London-based Council seeks up to 8 Creative Agencies / Freelancers (per LOT) to undergo multiple creative services as part of their digital expansion. This includes:

LOT 1: Digital Design & Branding

LOT 2: Website Development & Build

LOT 3: PR & Marketing

LOT 4: Managed Print Services

LOT 5: Events

As you can see here, the buyer is asking for 8 suppliers per LOT (service), meaning there will be a total of 24 suppliers as part of this contract. Although you may have to share the spotlight with your competitors, it’s a fantastic way of getting your company heard across your sector (in this example – the Creative sector) and to show your position in the market alongside your competitors. Plus, there’s work, money and growth involved.

The majority of companies argue that if you don’t score the highest tender, then your impending work is decreased by a long shot. Sometimes, you may be right, but a lot of the time you may be wrong.

Here are the crucial 4 things you must ask yourself when tendering for a framework agreement:

How many suppliers is the opportunity open to?

Remember, the more suppliers the opportunity is open to, the more chance of securing a place on the framework agreement.

Do you have a good chance of winning it?

The obvious question you might say, but you’d be surprised at how many organisations go for work that (at the time of tendering) they could potentially deliver but haven’t got the corporate literature or writing skills to make them stand out on paper.

Are you going for multiple LOTs?

Do you have to submit a response per service/LOT? Does this mean you have to submit 5 or more tender responses? – if so, always make sure you have the resource and time to do this. Never replicate your answers, always give as much time to each individual tender/LOT to ensure increased chances of success. It is better to focus more of your time on something that you can deliver better in, than going for all LOTs where other competitors may have the upper-hand. Go for the LOT where you know you can be number one! If you don’t think you’ve got the upper-hand, then why waste your time on it?

What is the process of contract award?

One of the most important aspects of Framework Agreements is to understand what process you undergo when you’re on the framework and how work is dished out? This could work in multiple ways, so remember to read the instructions carefully.

Some examples include:

Mini-competition – this is where the buyer asks all suppliers that have secured a place on the framework to quote a price for a specific job at hand. This may include a quality aspect also. The cheapest quotation wins!
First Supplier wins all – this is where the supplier who scored the highest via the tender process, will be guaranteed all work. If they can’t deliver a specific element, then it will go down the chain to the supplier who scored second. If they can’t deliver, then the supplier who came third and so on. All the more reason to be completely focused on the service you work best in and become number one!
Drop down effect – some buyers take it in turns to disperse work. In this case, the highest-ranking supplier would receive the first job, the second highest ranking supplier would win the second job and so on.

All decisions to how framework agreements are managed are declared by the buyer in the ITT (invitation to tender) stage. This should be transparent from the outset!

Want to be a part of frameworks? Our 11 sector-specific tendering portals source and notify you of new contract opportunities, daily. Simply choose the perfect portal for your business, sign up and get started.

For help and support with securing your next (or first!) Framework Agreement check out Tender VLE. For more bespoke and dedicated support, contact one of our Bid Writers or Bid Management Consultants today who will be happy to help!

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

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Framework Agreement – Top 4 questions to ask yourself!

John Hudson — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 08:30:46 +0000

FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT – TOP 4 THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF

You’re most likely to see the term ‘Framework Agreement’ scattered across our tendering portals, asking for multiple suppliers to deliver/supply either one or more services/goods across various locations. Sounds pretty broad, right?

Well, through utilising a Framework Agreement, this is a much smarter way of working for a lot of buyers and procurement agencies and although it may be a contractual headache at times, the long-term aspects to delivery remain progressive and are more and more often used across the UK procurement sector.

See our ‘TENDERING DOESN’T NEED TO BE COMPLICATED’ blog for other terms you may see!

Multi-provider Framework Agreements are quite simply, contracts or agreements between one or more organisations. There is such a thing as a Single Provider Framework, where one provider is utilised for ad-hoc call-off requests for particular services/goods, however, that is a story for another day.

Multi-provider frameworks can be exhibited via the following example:

London-based Council seeks up to 8 Creative Agencies / Freelancers (per LOT) to undergo multiple creative services. This includes:

LOT 1: – Digital Design & Branding
LOT 2: – Website Development & Build
LOT 3: – PR & Marketing
LOT 4: – Managed Print Services

As you can see here, the buyer is asking for 8 suppliers per LOT (service), meaning there will be a total of 24 suppliers as part of this contract. Although you may have to share the spotlight with your competitors, it’s a fantastic way of getting your company heard across the Creative Sector and to show your position in the market alongside your competitors. Plus, there’s work and money involved.

Here are the 4 questions you must ask yourself when tendering for a framework agreement:

1. How many suppliers is the Framework Agreement open to?

Remember, the more suppliers the opportunity is open to, the more chance of securing a place on the Framework.

2. Do you have a good chance of winning it?

Obvious question you might say, but you’d be surprised at how many organisations go for work that (at the time of tendering) they could potentially deliver but haven’t got the corporate literature or writing skills to make them stand out on paper. Look at our ‘To Bid or not to Bid’ blog to look at what you can do to ensure your success is maximised!

3. Are you going for multiple LOTs?

Do you have to submit a response per service/LOT? Does this mean you have to submit 4 or more tender responses? – if so, always make sure you have the resource and time to do this. Never replicate your answers, always give as much time to each individual tender/LOT to ensure increased chances of success. It is better to focus more of your time with something that you can deliver better in, than going for all LOTs where other competitors may have the upper-hand. Go for the LOT where you know you can be number one! If you don’t think you’ve got the upper-hand, then should you be wasting time on it?

4. What is the process of contract award?

One of the most important aspects of a Framework Agreement is to understand the process that you undergo when you’re in the framework and how is work dished out? This could work in multiple ways, so remember to read the instructions carefully. Some examples include:

Mini-competition – this is where the buyer asks all suppliers on the framework to quote them a price for a specific job at hand. This may include a quality aspect also. The cheapest quote wins!
First Supplier wins all – this is where the supplier who scored the highest via the tender process, will be guaranteed all work. If they can’t deliver a specific element, then it will go down the chain to the supplier who scored second, and if they can’t deliver, then the supplier who came third and so on – all the more reason to be completely focused on the service you work best in and become number one!
Drop down effect – some buyers take it in turns to disperse work. In this case, the highest-ranking supplier would receive the first job, the second highest ranking supplier the second job and so on.

All decisions to how the framework is managed are declared by the buyer in the ITT (invitation to tender) stage. It’s usually transparent from the get go!

Need assistance when writing your next bids and tenders?

Now you’re a bit more familiar with what’s required, you may be looking for some writing support. Writing isn’t everyone’s strong suit and that’s ok. Outsourcing a bid you’ve found to bid writing specialists can help you secure that next contract.

Here at Hudson Succeed, we pride ourselves on being bid writing experts. We hold an 87% success rate and have over 60 years of collective bid writing experience. We offer four levels of bid writing support to suit every business need. You may not need the whole bid written for you; you may simply need it proofread before you submit. We can help with that. Our services include:

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

If you’ve written your own 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. This is a great way of improving your skills and understanding of how to polish your tender.

Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can help optimise your tendering efforts – even when you’re busy. Our two new time-saving tools can improve your competitor awareness and success rate when bidding for a contract.

The Ultimate Time Saver package offers your business:

A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option can help businesses that overlap two industries such as Healthcare and Technology, for example.
Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
Buyer portal management, including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid strategy.
Weekly phone calls with your dedicated Account Manager to discuss viable tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package also includes:

All of the above.
Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

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

The post Framework Agreement – Top 4 questions to ask yourself! appeared first on Tender Consultants.

What is a Dynamic Purchasing System? The DPS in Tendering!

John Hudson — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 08:26:26 +0000

Everything you need to know about a Dynamic Purchasing System

Here we go again – another term which is not well known in all industry sectors across the UK – a Dynamic Purchasing System.

As always, we are here to help you understand all these ‘niggly’ bits to tendering, to ensure you are prepared to undergo some serious business development planning across your sector and beyond!

You can see the different bidding terminologies applicable in our ‘Tendering doesn’t have to be complicated’ blog.

In a nutshell – a Dynamic Purchasing System (or DPS for short) is basically a supply chain list where tenders or other bidding opportunities are published to specific members that have been successful in maintaining a position on that list.

As quoted in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, “[a] DPS should be set up for identified types of requirement, which may be divided into categories of products, works or services.”

This could be any organisation or group of organisations, who wants to outsource work in either one or more service areas [or LOTs] and rather than having 50-100 applications come through for the [potentially many] tenders they publish, they start by narrowing down a set-list of applicants onto their own DPS.

Differences between Dynamic Purchasing Systems & general tender processes

The main differences from the typical tender process are that a Dynamic Purchasing System is to:

Be run as a completely electronic process (no paper or posting required here)
Allow new suppliers to join at any time (meaning that if you have been unsuccessful at securing a place – you can always try again in the future)
Show longevity in its run (we’ve come across DPS’s which are open for 10 or more years).

All that suppliers would need to do, is register their company onto this DPS online, click which service area they are interested in delivering and undergo a Stage 1 submission in order to secure a place. Once secured, Stage 2 is the actual tendering of the works in question.

For example – A Housing Association could create a DPS for their outsourced Creative activity, which includes a range of service areas/LOTs – i.e. Branding, Printing, Website Hosting etc. They would publish this DPS opportunity to all and then undergo multiple stages to narrow down the process of awarding the work via the ‘most economically advantageous tender’ (MEAT).

Stage 1

In the average UK tender process, a lot of suppliers may be asked to complete a Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to help the buyer narrow down their list of Invitations to Tender (ITT). This is now being taking over by a ‘Selection Questionnaire’ on many portals. It’s similar with a Dynamic Purchasing System – the supplier has to get onto the DPS in order to be Invited to Tender for works and they do this by completing a Stage 1 application process that heavily resembles a PQQ, with maybe a few additional questions thrown in.

Like a typical PQQ-to-ITT process, securing access to the DPS reflects a ‘weed-out’ procedure, with the buyer ensuring they progress all applicants who demonstrate greater strengths in their financial, technical and professional capabilities.

Stage 2

Once you are successful and Stage 1 is complete – it is complete. You do not have to re-do any capability and competency-based questions. Every time a tender is published in relation to your service area, as part of this Dynamic Purchasing System, you are automatically invited to tender and answer all questions specific to that service!

Once on the DPS then a range of tenders will then ensue (as and when required), allowing the buyer to streamline a more technically-focused evaluation on the responses collated.

Where we stand in all of this!

Our Discover platform has many traits of a Dynamic Purchasing System, in that a buyer, let’s, for example, say a design agency on our Creative Tenders portal, seeks a professional company who can support their financial/accountancy needs. All that the design agency would do is:

Log on to Hudson Discover
View a list of our Finance Tenders subscribers, which encapsulates a large list of accountancy firms
Publish their ‘private opportunity brief’ to a filtered list of suppliers
Receive responses, evaluate and award.

The reason we filter this list is to avoid publishing opportunities that bear minimal relevance to our suppliers and streamline the process for our buyers, helping them publish specific competitive opportunities to the most competent suppliers.

Writing winning bids can take a lot of time. If you don’t have that to spare, but still want to tender for contracts we can help. Our Bid Writers have an 87% success rate and over 60 years of collective experience.

So, if you ever come across a DPS that contains services specific to your offering – get on board.

Our Consultants can help you succeed!

Need assistance when writing your next bids and tenders?

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

Discover Elite

The Ultimate Time Saver package offers your business:

A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option can help businesses that overlap two industries such as Healthcare and Technology, for example.
Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
Buyer portal management, including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid strategy.
Weekly phone calls with your dedicated Account Manager to discuss viable tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package also includes:

All of the above.
Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

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

The post What is a Dynamic Purchasing System? The DPS in Tendering! appeared first on Tender Consultants.

Frameworks & DPS' Archives - Tender Consultants

How to Win Healthcare Tenders: Our 10 Top Tips!

How to Win Healthcare Tenders: Our 10 Top Tips!

What are healthcare tenders?

What are frameworks?

What is a DPS?

What do I need to bid on healthcare tenders?

Where to find healthcare tenders!

Where to Find Tender Experts!

How we can help!

Tender Writing

Tender Ready

Tender Improvement

Tender Mentor

Contact us:

Additional support:

Our other divisions:

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

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

Applying for Public Sector Frameworks

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

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

Compliance with the Framework:

Consequences of non-compliance with the framework:

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

What are the benefits of securing public sector framework contracts?

What are the drawbacks of public sector framework contracts?

How we can help!

Tender Writing

Tender Ready

Tender Improvement

Tender Mentor

Contact us:

Additional support:

Discover Elite

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

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package

Our other divisions:

Vocal

Alpha

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

Public Sector Framework Agreements: The Complete Guide

Learn all about public sector framework agreements

What are the types of public sector framework agreements?

Single-supplier framework agreements

Why do buyers use single-supplier framework agreements?

Multi-supplier framework agreements

What are the benefits of public sector framework agreements?

In summary

How Hudson Succeed can help

Tender Writing

Tender Mentor

Tender Ready

Tender Improvement

Need help with searching for tenders?

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

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

Discover Elite

Vocal

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

A Guide to Crown Commercial Service Frameworks

Crown Commercial Service Framework FAQs

What is purchased via Crown Commercial Service frameworks?

Buildings

Corporate Solutions

People

Technology

How to respond to Crown Commercial Service frameworks

What are Crown Commercial Service frameworks?

Further competitions

3 key things to note

Timing

Sub-contracting

The Government eMarketplace

Where can I find Crown Commercial Service Frameworks?

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

Need assistance securing a place on a Crown Commercial Service framework?

Tender Writing

Tender Mentor

Tender Ready