We all know that tenders for civil engineering schemes and projects are complex and time-consuming to complete. Public sector clients in particular often want to know very detailed information about your approach to design and development works, health and safety, environmental management, supply chains, and how you will work collaboratively with them, other suppliers and wider stakeholders.
While the types of questions are often similar in nature, organisations that try and use 'boiler plate' responses from previous tenders or sales literature are in my experience often disappointed when they are not short-listed. In today's ever competitive world, evaluators often have the pick of several large and reputable companies to choose from. Gone are the days where reputation and relationship (as important as they are!) won contracts. What distinguishes companies these days comes down to what is written down in the bids.
Bids therefore need to be carefully planned and well-presented to catch the evaluators' attention. Poorly prepared ones will undoubtedly also catch their attention, but for all the wrong reasons!
Of course, by far the best way to ensure your bids hit the mark is to employ the services of bid writing professionals who are experienced in creating the compelling case for you and your services, and to present it in a way where you are shown to be innovative. However, for those who have perhaps not yet used professional writers, here are 10 tips to improve the way you present your bids:
For lots more top tips on how to prepare winning bids, check out the blog on our website (www.kittleassociates.com).
If you are fed up with the stress of bidding, you want to increase your win rate, or you just want a general chat about your approach to bids, give us a call on 01491 902021 or drop us a line at enquiries@kittleassociates.com.
Alan Kittle is the Managing Director of Kittle Associates Ltd, a bid writing consultancy with specific experience of the civil engineering and construction sectors.