Skip to content

Call us free today on 0800 612 5563

Producing PQQ and e-tender documents can be a complex and time-consuming process. You must follow the procedures and processes laid out by the contracting authority if you are to be successful. Learn from the experts how it’s done, and how the team of bid writers at Executive Compass can help you.

PQQ and e-tender documents

With every call for tender comes a procedure for submitting that tender. It is increasingly common that this will be done via e-tendering, and you will respond to the contracting authority through an online portal. Instructions for bidding will be spelled out in the documentation you receive from the contracting authority, and must be adhered to – if you do not comply with the procedure, you can be failed based on non-compliance, so it’s important to ensure you fully understand the process before you begin. Part of this process may be familiarising yourself with the e-tender on the relevant portal, as some can be tricky to navigate for first-time users.

You will need to complete some or all of the following documentation:

  • A PQQ or pre-qualification questionnaire. It is becoming more common for standardised PQQs (or standard selection questionnaires) to be used, which include core questions and sections that apply across all industries, as a first stage of evaluation.
  • An ITT or tender document, with questions on a variety of topics. You will need to answer questions on the products or services you will be required to deliver and exactly how you will deliver them. Your policies and procedures, and your pricing proposals, will also need to be described. Sometimes the PQQ and ITT documents are submitted at the same time, and sometimes they will be done in separate stages of evaluation (this is known as either the open or closed procedures). This will be labelled in the initial instructions to bidders.
  • Supporting documents, including copies of insurance certificates, accounts, policy documents, references etc. and anything the contracting authority need to evaluate your company.

Preparing e-tender documentation

Planning. The first stage in preparing tender documentation is to plan. Reading the tender specification and understanding all the requirements of the contract is vital. This will firstly ensure that you are aware of all components. Secondly, you can use this planning process to guide your narrative responses and make sure that all points meet the specification. The planning stage should include familiarising yourself with any e-tendering requirements, the methods for clarification and communication with the buyer, and how your bid will be uploaded or submitted if on an online portal.

Writing. When you come to write the tender submission, make sure you use compelling, persuasive narrative that answers the question and is backed up by evidence and statistics. Do not forget to work within any word or page limits, font styles and other restrictions that may be outlined in the specification. One tip for e-tendering is to check word limits via the online portal, as sometimes these are not apparent until you start writing in the text box on the portal. When writing, we recommend deconstructing the question, whilst referring back to the specification, to ensure everything is covered.

Reviewing. After you have completed your PQQ or tender response, the final step of the process is to review your bid. This falls into two stages: checking for compliance, and checking the actual written narrative. For both PQQ and ITTs there can be a lot of box ticking, as well as data sections to fill in, and you (or a colleague) should check to make sure your bid is fully compliant – you may wish to check this directly on the e-tendering portal. The second aspect is proofreading and reviewing your written narrative. Try and put yourself into the evaluator’s shoes: does it meet all the evaluation criteria? Is it well written? Would you award it full marks? If not, you may need to revisit your responses until you are happy with the quality.

E-tendering

Typically, the PQQ or tender proposal will be submitted in electronic form, as e-tendering is increasingly the preferred method for all public sector procurement, generally using an online portal. Some contracting authorities, however, still ask you to submit via a hard copy that you must either post or deliver. Always cover the method of submission in the initial planning stage of your tender, to avoid any last minute surprises or challenges.

One major benefit in e-tendering is that all communication is transparent, typically via a message board or clarification function, meaning you can learn from fellow bidders’ queries, and communication with the buyer should be a lot quicker. There can also be mandatory functions whereby your e-tender is not accepted unless you complete all relevant sections or attach all documents required – this is particularly handy to alert you to any errors.

Always double check the format for your bid submission in advance of the deadline and do not leave electronic submissions until the last minute in case of any technical issues. It is extremely common for portals to be slow or unresponsive very close to the deadline, as multiple bidders are using the platform at the same time. When submitting an e-tender, the portal will close immediately at the stated deadline, resulting in a failure if you have not already submitted your bid.

The tender process can seem complex, so make sure you approach it with careful planning and attention to detail. If you feel you need external assistance with any stage of the process, Executive Compass are here to help and can offer any level of support required. The team are proficient with all the e-tendering portals used in public sector procurement and can help you to navigate e-tender submissions.

Why not contact us today?

Upload a Tender

Upload your PQQ or tender document here to get a fast and fair, no-obligation, fixed-fee quotation.



    Request a Call Back

    Leave your name and telephone number for a call back consultation with a member of our management team.