Posted on 19-07-2010 at 01:00
Writing Tenders
Writing Tenders
When applying for a contract, you want your bid to be top of the pile. To be in with the best chance you need to concentrate on three areas – researching the client, understanding the contract and delivering a winning bid.
It’s a myth that most contracts go to the cheapest bid. In reality, the winning bidder is the one that offers a competitive price and the best value for the client. You need to research the company and find out what makes them tick. Do they have a strong environmental ethos? Is their equal opportunities policy the one that drives their business? Do they prefer locally sourced products or are they big importers? To write a winning bid you need to tailor your offer to give the best fit with the client. Your bid needs to give them the best value over the entire term of the contract, and beyond. When they read your bid they will be asking “what’s in it for me?” so think about what benefits your company will bring to the project and how you can offer the client the best solution to fit them, in every area.
Once you have researched the client you need to fully understand the contract. Too many bids fail because people do not read the questions properly or don’t understand what is being asked of them. Read each question carefully and make sure you answer clearly, concisely and with relevant information. If you have worked on similar projects in the past then use mini-case studies to demonstrate that you understand the industry and can fulfil the client’s requirements perfectly. Understand your own limitations too – don’t over-promise and make sure you can deliver everything for the price you quote. And don’t forget the appendices – most bids will require you to include information such as your Health & Safety and Anti-Bullying policies, proof of relevant certification or references from previous clients.
Finally, the presentation and delivery of your bid is just as important as the content. If possible, use a professional bid writer who will already understand the process and will help you write a winning bid. If you write the bid yourself, make sure it is clearly laid out – use headings, sub-headings and bullet points to organise the information. Give plenty of relevant detail and observe any word limits. Make sure you check and double check for typos, spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Consider binding your bid and any appendices to create a professional-looking package. Finally, make sure you deliver the bid on time. If you miss the deadline for submission your bid won’t be considered, no matter how good it may be.
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