Writing a great tender response submission is critical if you want to secure Government and commercial contracts and projects. A compelling tender submission should showcase your capabilities and demonstrate how you're the best fit for the job. Keep reading to find out how to develop an outstanding tender response: 1. Understand the Requirements Start by carefully reading the tender documentation so you fully understand the objectives and any specific requirements. This step is crucial for tailoring your response to exactly what the tender issuer is looking for. If anything is unclear, ask for ..read more

Creating a great tender response submission can be hard work - and I know from experience that anything you can do to avoid reinventing the wheel for every tender is a real bonus. That’s why I recommend developing a library of useful content that you can use over and over in your tenders - with a little customisation each time of course. Creating a library of tender response content can be a strategic way to save time and improve the efficiency of your tendering process. Here are 10 steps you can take to help you develop and maintain a library of tender response content: Understand the comm ..read more

There’s no doubt about it, writing tender submissions can be pretty stressful especially when you have a tight deadline and you’re time-poor. But there are some things you can do to reduce the stress and optimise your results. Check out these suggestions. Understand the Requirements Carefully read and understand the tender documents, including all specifications, requirements, and evaluation criteria. Make a checklist of the key points you need to address in your response. Plan and Organise Break down the tasks included in the Response Schedules into smaller, manageable sections. Create a ..read more

Tenders can be stressful. And very time-consuming. And not much fun if you don’t have a knack for writing a compelling story. So it makes sense that engaging a professional tender response writer can offer several advantages for businesses looking to win contracts through the tendering process. Below I’ve listed 10 reasons why you might want to consider engaging a professional tender response writer rather than going it alone. Expertise and experience - professional tender response writers are experienced at developing compelling and persuasive documents. They understand the intricacies of ..read more

Tender response writers take different approaches when it comes to charging for their services. Personally, I charge a fixed fee which is based on the value I’m providing and the estimated number of hours I think it will take me to thoroughly review the requirements and conditions, and develop a comprehensive response. But should you expect to pay a success fee to your tender response writer? And if so, how does it work? Whether you should expect to pay a success fee to your tender response writer depends on the terms you've agreed on with them. The reason I don’t charge a success fee is beca ..read more

Christmas is that time of year when many businesses slow down, and unfortunately, so does your revenue. And while it’s important to recharge, the quieter period is also a great time to invest some time in preparing your business for the year ahead. Here are a few things you can do to get ahead of the game in 2024. Investigate tender opportunities There are always loads of tender opportunities out there, no matter what time of year it is, so now is the perfect time to start lining them up so you can win some lucrative business deals in the New Year. If you’re not sure where to start, check o ..read more

Many tenders that I work on include “best overall value for money” as a key evaluation criteria. This isn’t just about price - it’s about how well you can deliver the products or services required, what value-adds or innovations you bring, and how well you meet the tender requirements. Here are some of the things you need to reinforce in your tender submission whenever you see best value for money as an evaluation criteria: How well you’re able to meet the technical requirements and performance standards. If you exceed expectations you’ll probably be considered better value, so make sure yo ..read more

In the world of tendering, there are many different types of requests, and all of them come with acronyms that can be a bit confusing if you’re not a specialist tender response writer. Here’s the low-down on them all. An EOI is an Expression of Interest - it’s usually used to asses the interest and capabilities of potential suppliers, and is a preliminary step before short-listed suppliers are invited to participate in a more comprehensive RFT. An RFT is a Request for Tender - it’s usually more robust than an EOI and outlines the contract scope and specifications, tender conditions and de ..read more

How much does a tender writer charge? Every tender writer is different and I’m sure there are variety of approaches to pricing amongst the professional tender writers that you can find through existing client referrals or by conducting a Google search. Most tender consultants price their services based on factors such as the size and complexity of the tender, the deadline for submissions, the quality of the information you are able to provide and any ancilliary services you may need from them (such as the development of professional resumes or a Capability Statement). Some common ways that a ..read more

Tenders can be gnarly little beasts and in a highly competitive and increasingly sophisticated bidding world, it’s important to make a good first impression on the tender evaluation panel. This requires a combination of careful preparation, a compelling presentation, and a focus on addressing the specific needs of the tender issuer. Here’s how to make sure your submission really stands out: Add an eye-catching cover page, and make sure it encapsulates a brief statement that summarises your unique selling proposition (this should be no more than 10 words). If you’re not sure how to design a ..read more