The Best Tips on How to Write a Tender Document
Tender applications are very important in attracting new projects and business to your company. Unfortunately, they can be very time consuming to put together and require a lot of research and insider knowledge in order to submit a competitive claim.
Luckily, there are many professional tender writing services available which can provide expert advice on how to write a tender document. Here are some top tips to keep in mind when putting together your next tender application.
Do your research
It is very important to remain up-to-date with all the latest happenings in your industry. Staying connected with colleagues can give you a heads-up on new and exciting projects on the horizon.
Beyond networking, make use of websites that provide tender databases and notification services. Signing up to these services means you will be among the first to know of new tender proposals and can pick and choose which are right for your business.
Download the tender documents
Once you’ve found a tender that you’re interested in, the next step is to download the tender documents. These provide crucial details that you need to be aware of and usually include:
• When and where to lodge your response
• Briefing details
• The evaluation criteria that will be used to assess responses
• The rules and conditions that will be followed to ensure a level playing field among applicants.
The tender documents will likely also include a statement of requirements outlining the project parameters and a draft contract for you to read over before submitting your application.
Compile your response
The tender documents will include additional guidelines as to what kind of information you need to include in your application, known as response schedules. These may vary depending on the size and type of project but will generally include:
• Price
• Methodology
• Capability to complete the project
• Past experience relevant to the project
• Details of key employees
• Details of your quality, OH&S and environmental processes
• Compliance documentation (licenses, insurances, agreement with proposed contract)
Some applications will provide a specific template that you must adhere to in your response, and some may grant a little more freedom. It’s very important that you pay attention to the formatting requirements including word count and file format. These small details indicate your ability to follow instructions and your attention to detail capabilities.
Contact your referees
It is crucial to provide referee contact details in order to support your proposed budget, timeframe and claims of quality. Even more crucial is first ensuring that your referees are happy to provide supporting statements, if required. The last thing you want is your referees acting surprised at having been contacted or worse, giving a negative review of your services.
One final review
Before submitting your tender, make sure you do one final proofread of the entire document. This is a very important step in the process, particularly if you have had multiple people in your company working on the documentation. Ensuring that you have a clear and cohesive tone across the entire application adds that last touch of necessary polish and professionalism.
Submit — on time!
Triple check the submission date, mark it in your diary and aim to submit your application a little early if possible. This will give you a few extra days up your sleeve should anything go wrong. Due to the large volumes of applicants, tender submission deadlines are usually non-negotiable and there would be nothing worse than all your hard work going to waste due to an administrative error.
Hopefully you now know a little more about how to write a tender document. When in doubt, always consult the services of a tender writing professional who can bring unparalleled experience, knowledge and expertise to the entire process.