How Public Sector Tendering Works

A tender is simply a notice of a project. This notice is an invitation for companies to bid on (or, in other words, offer their products and services for) said project.

Tenders are published by all kinds of government organisations that are looking for private-sector help for public-sector projects. These are called public sector tenders or government tenders.

The tender itself will include the following information:

Some tenders may also include details about their award criteria – how the organisation will choose which companies successfully receive the opportunity.

It’s also worth noting that public sector organisations will vary in how much detail they provide on tenders, so inevitably, some tenders will look different to others

The whole purpose of public sector tendering is to ensure that government projects are transparent. This means that tenders must be accessible (though, in reality, this is a little more tricky) and open to any qualified bidders

So, you’ve seen a tender that looks pretty interesting. It seems to fit what your company does, and you’d like to try bidding on the opportunity. What’s next?

Each supplier who is interested in the project must submit a bid. This document will contain a summary of your deliverables, a proposed project budget, and evidence that you’re the right supplier for the project. You can use evidence like case studies, testimonials, and statistics to convince the organisation to choose your company.

To write your bid, you’ll have to do a bit of research. Always start with the tender itself. Examine the document carefully and make sure you know exactly what the project entails. What are they actually asking of you? What stipulations are apparent? What specific requirements are there?

As well as knowing the ins and outs of the project, you also need to know who you're bidding to. Research the organisation, and don’t hesitate to contact the tender provider if you need more information about deliverables, expectations, or project timeframes.

Finally, show you’re providing value. Government bids are evaluated by looking for the MAT – the Most Advantageous Tender. (Previously, this was MEAT, the Most Economically Advantageous Tender, but government procurement guidelines have recently changed.) The organisation wants value for money, and you have to prove that you’ll give it to them.