Information on Tendering for Contracts

What is Tendering For Contracts?

Companies that want to buy goods or services in bulk or on a regular basis will seek to appoint suppliers through a process that will enable value for money, due diligence and fair dealings. If the contract is large enough, central government and public sector organisations are required to advertise the contract publicly using sites such as Find a Tender, giving companies the opportunity to bid for it.

As a supplier of goods or services that the procuring company wants to purchase, you will be asked to submit pricing information, capacity, and competence to fulfil the job advertised – the invitation to tender.

How To Start Tendering for Contracts

Tendering for contracts is similar to replying to job advertisements, complete with tests and interviews at the pre-qualification stage.

The first stage of this process is monitoring tender alerts and identifying public sector tender opportunities. Much like a job advert, information on live contracts is publicly available and companies can view all government tenders that are advertised, which they may wish to bid for. The government website Contracts Finder publishes all tender contracts that are worth over £10,000, with information on the tender opportunity and how you apply.

You Are Likely to Be Asked To Supply The Following Information:

• Your company background – Size and financials (including bank references and insurances)
• Your employees – Including the management team, key personnel and personnel who would oversee the work being advertised
• Your company workflows – As well as internal procedures
• Your company policies – How they match legal and standards requirements for your particular business sector
• How you approach training – Equalities, quality, and the environment, among other issues
• How you have managed other, similar contracts – In the past, and references from those clients
• How you would oversee various future scenarios – Including handover at the start and end of the contract, problems and conflicts.

• Your company background – Size and financials (including bank references and insurances)
• Your employees – Including the management team, key personnel and personnel who would oversee the work being advertised
• Your company workflows – As well as internal procedures
• Your company policies – How they match legal and standards requirements for your particular business sector
• How you approach training – Equalities, quality, and the environment, among other issues
• How you have managed other, similar contracts – In the past, and references from those clients
• How you would oversee various future scenarios – Including handover at the start and end of the contract, problems and conflicts.

When tendering for contracts, you will be in competition with other companies in your business sector who are all seeking to provide their best responses to the above requests. As a result, it is crucial for your tender documents to clearly convey information, reflect the specification, exhibit your organisation’s strengths, and convey any USPs, value for money, or added value you can offer to stand out.