17 Apr Quick Wins for every Bid
Leverage any templates provided by the client
Some tender specification documents include a response template for you to fill in. These sections may require certain file formats or word limits. By carefully following every requirement in the response template, it becomes easier for the tender review panel to judge your offer.
Clarity, clarity, clarity
It’s vital to structure your tender document clearly. If the bid specification documents haven’t asked for a particular format or structure, keep your tender response document well organised, clear and logical. Use a structure that guides the reader and Include a persuasive and crystal clear introduction that states your central proposition, purpose and rationale of your bid.
Creativity can enhance your bid
It can also be helpful to use diagrams to develop your bid response. This can be an effective way to break up large blocks of written text and can communicate to the reader any complex propositions.
Provide all relevant details
As with all bids and tenders, they must include certain information to qualify for further consideration, including, but not limited to:
- A company profile and capability statement
- Whether you are planning to sub-contract and to whom
- Any conditions affecting the price
- The price for each service or product you propose, and an indication of whether these are fixed or variable (for example, based on consumer price index variations or exchange rates)
- A description of any variations you propose in meeting the conditions of the contract
- Delivery charges and details
- A proposed schedule indicating delivery dates or milestones
- Any applicable insurances
- Clarification of any intellectual property rights where relevant
Deal with the selection criteria
Closely mirror the criteria in the bid or tender request. Ensure your proposed offer precisely meets the client’s needs. Describe the benefits the buyer will receive from your products or services, not just the features.
Offer specific examples of how you meet the selection criteria rather than simply stating that you do meet it. It is important to highlight your credentials and provide verifiable and evidence-based experience. Also explain how your approach to delivering the bid will meet your buyer’s needs. Identify the requirements that are most important to the buyer and drive these home in your tender response.
Proofread your tender
Ask someone outside of the tender development process to read your tender response and give feedback. Ideally, get a reputable bid or tender support business to carry out this task. If several authors have contributed to different parts of the tender response, ensure that one person reads the entire bid response document for consistency, form and tone.
Submit your bid before the deadline
Incomplete or late tender responses are routinely excluded from consideration barring pre-agreed circumstances.
If you are submitting online, don’t leave your tender submission until the last minute in case you have any technical issues. If your bid response is to be mailed, make sure you allow time for delays. Consider using ‘same day delivery’ for courier services or hand-delivering your tender response if allowed.
Choose the perfect referees
A key part of delivering a successful bid response is choosing the right referees. Use referees that know your products or services. Make sure you get permission to use referees before including them in your bid response. Brief them on the key points of the request so they can target their comments to the job specifications.
We want nothing more than for you to win more appropriate bids and tenders. Contact the author, Katy Berrill on 01908 382414 for an initial discussion.
