Are you thinking of applying for a Government contact?
We have had a few clients that want a Government contract, and it’s not as easy as just building a website.
The website is a facade, and it gives you an opening, but you need to comply and impress a Tender panel and give them the documentary evidence they require to short-list you.
We offer our clients the following tips on tender planning.
Stage 1: Know what tenders are about to list.
- Research which tenders are about to be released.
- Contact the entity at least three months before the Tender is released and introduce yourself, so they know who you are.
- Please do your research on who the incumbent is and determine their performance and your point of differentiation?
- Ring the potential Tenderer and again be proactive and ask when the Tender will be released.
- On the release of the Tender, send them a quick email confirming that you will be responding.
- Make sure your website and social media is impressive and aligned to what the Tenderer would expect to see.
Stage 2: Should you apply?
Be honest and ask yourself the below;
- Can you supply the service, let alone the Insurance?
- Can you provide all of the requested documentation?
- Can you provide any references and case studies?
- Can you answer all of the tender questions?
- Overall, do you have the capability to deliver?
- Is the proposed scope of works/contract commercially viable for you?
- Is there any conflict of interest?
- Can you clearly outline your point of difference?
- Are the financial returns feasible for you?
Stage 3: Planning the tender Response
Please respond based on their instructions to you.
Do not be creative.
Read the question and answer it with the required amount of words.
If the Tender does not provide a response framework, you can go ahead and use your structure.
Stage 4: Writing your Response
Make your responses an easy read.
Each section will be rated, and there may be 2 to 3 Assessors reading separate areas of your Response.
Use space to your advantage, add images if you can, bold, essential sections. You can imagine how 30 or 40 tender responses all start to blend into one, so please MAKE it EASIER for the Tender Assessor.
Presentation is everything.
Make sure that you highlight the ten key areas;
1. Capability
2. Experience
3. Value Added service
4. Benefits to Tenderer
5. Systems
6. Competitor Differentiation
7. Quality Assurance
8. Pricing
9. Innovation
10. Why You?
Stage 5: Quality check your tender Response before submission.
Before you submit, make sure you can tick off the below;
Make sure you have answered and complied with all the questions.
- Make sure your format is correct—the framework, font, font size
- Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes.
- Make sure that the Tender sections are all referenced correctly.
Make sure that all the information:
- It is technically accurate and relevant
- Is consistent
- Provides appropriate solutions
- Provides cost-saving benefits
- Provides Tenderer value for money
- Provides Tenderer peace of mind with minimal risk
- Provides a clear implementation plan giving the Tenderer comfort that you have a disciplined approach to delivery
- Supplies a list of all insurances
- Includes your licensing numbers
- Most importantly, make sure you include your pricing as they want it.
STAGE 6 – Assembly and finalisation of tender Response
Before you submit, make sure you understand what they seek;
1. Number of copies.
2. What needs to be marked as “Original” instead of “Copies”.
3. What delivery method?
4. Is a hard copy required or just a soft copy or both?
5. Does the Tenderer require a bound copy?
Government contracts may be financially rewarding but select a small tender that you can try to win if you are new to tender writing.
Please feel free to call me and ask me any questions you like and hope this helps you.
