Bid Management

Electronic Tendering and e-Tenders – Good or Bad?

6 minutes of reading

Electronic Tendering is now the most popular method of tendering. On the face of it, e-tenders make sense as they give everyone a clear format to follow, make submission easier and help to reduce paper. Of course, some tenders are just poorly managed. But I talk to clients and tender consultants and their experience reflects my own… e-tenders range from excellent to diabolical!

Electronic Tendering and E-Tenders – Good or Bad?

What is Electronic Tendering?

Years ago, tender documents were posted to you to complete. You then posted your completed submission. If you didn’t trust the post, you would courier or hand-deliver it. As email and high-speed internet has become more widespread, most tenders are emailed to you or are online.

All bigger public sector tenders are now online. You access and submit them via a web portal. Clarification questions are all online too.

Private sector will often use email to send ITTs and receive submissions.

What’s Great About e-Tenders

Without doubt, the easiest electronic tendering method involves PDFs, Word and Excel documents.

On a public sector web portal, you create an account online which has the company’s basic details. Once you have identified a suitable opportunity, you express interest online. You can then download the ITT documents (normally PDFs, Word and Excel). The documents that you need to complete are usually Word for the quality response, SQ, form of tender etc. Pricing will be in Excel or Word depending on the complexity.

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Electronic Tendering and e-Tenders – Good or Bad? Read More »

Be Careful Using a Tender Template

2 minutes of reading

People frequently ask for a tender template but are disappointed when we say that we don’t have a generic PQQ or tender template.

Be Careful When Using a Tender Template or PQQ Template

Let’s look at the reasons why:

  1. Formal PQQs, RFQs and tenders rarely follow the same format
  2. Businesses are all different – even in the same industry
  3. Customers’ needs differ too

Therefore there is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution. However, there is certainly a case for developing your own tender template library.

What Tender Templates Can You Use?

If the invitation to tender (ITT) is not formatted then it is more like a formal sales proposal. See How to Write Sales Proposals for details on creating your own proposal / tender template.

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Be Careful Using a Tender Template Read More »

Pre Tender Meetings (Tender Briefing Meetings)

2 minutes of reading

Sometimes the tendering process involves pre tender meetings. This guide explains what is involved and how you should approach tender briefing meetings.

Pre Tender Meetings (Tender Briefing Meetings)

What Are Pre Tender Meetings?

After the ITT is issued, sometimes bidders are invited to a tender briefing. Normally bidders can ask questions about the tender or the the specification. It might involve viewing a site e.g. for cleaning, security or construction tenders.

Normally, all bidders attend a group session. Some are on a one-to-one basis.

Supplier engagement events can be held before one or more tenders are published. They have a similar purpose of helping potential suppliers understand what the tender involves and to encourage participation.

Benefits of Pre Tender Meetings

Some people consider these as low-priority and a waste of time. But if you are invited to pre-tender meetings always make the effort to attend.

First and foremost, it shows the buyers that that you are taking the tender seriously.

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Pre Tender Meetings (Tender Briefing Meetings) Read More »

Writing Tenders Top Tip: Start Early!

2 minutes of reading

There are a lot of hints and tips about writing tenders in Bid Management. This post deals with a fundamental issue (and common problem) regarding writing tenders and bid management – actually getting started with the tender response.

Writing Tenders Top Tip: Start Early!

Writing tenders is not most people’s favourite pastime. Therefore they often put off looking at a tender until near the deadline. Also many agonise about what to write, leading to more procrastination. So tenders get left until the last minute and then rushed… normally resulting in a second rate tender submission and less chance of being successful.

Writing Tenders Top Tip – Get started as soon as possible!

You normally have 3-4 weeks to submit a tender or PQQ; this initially seems like a long time but it soon goes so do make a start in the first few days. This allows you to:

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Writing Tenders Top Tip: Start Early! Read More »

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