posted: June 30th, 2011
We supported them through the PQQ, ITT and Interview. They have just had the news they have been awarded onto to the framework agreement!
posted: June 29th, 2011
We have just heard from one of our construction clients that we have got them through the pre-qualification (PQQ) stage of the process for an adaptations tender for Manchester City Council.
We are now gearing up to start work on the invitation to tender (ITT).
posted: June 27th, 2011
Contracts Finder (a relatively new site which has replaced supply2.gov.uk)
The Chest (all high value Part A service tenders are advertised here)
Lancashire County Council tenders
North Eastern Purchasing Organisation
NHS (Part B Clinical Services)
Public and private procurement
BIS (Business Innovation and Skills)
posted: June 21st, 2011
News just in from our publishing client that they have made it through the PQQ (pre-qualification questionnaire) stage of the procurement exercise with the Ministry of Defence.
Again, this is new sector for our client.
Now work begins on the ITT (invitation to tender)!
posted: June 20th, 2011
We have just heard from our publishing client that they have won a three year contract with the European Chemical Agency in Helsinki. We supported them through the full process and they are now on an approved framework.
Our client said: ”Our success is very much thanks to you.”
This is a new sector for our client which makes the news even more cause for celebration.
posted: June 17th, 2011
An online course for smaller businesses has recently been reviewed and updated following feedback from small businesses, government buyers and social enterprises. The course developed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is designed to help small businesses, in particular, to understand the process and enable them to tender for public sector contracts.
Once you have registered for the course you have six months to complete it, so you can work through the six modules at your own pace. If you haven’t completed during this time you will need to re-register. (It is designed to take four hours to complete.)
To access the free online ‘Winning the Contract’ training course using the link below:
http://www1.learndirect-business.com/business-courses/winning-the-contract/
posted: June 15th, 2011
If you are tendering for public sector contracts (e.g. council, central government, housing association, NHS etc.) the higher the contract value the more rigorous the whole tendering process becomes.
These tenders can be very time consuming so make sure you have the essentials first. Here is a checklist of the key documents and certification that you require:
Are you ready?
posted: June 15th, 2011
(i) what were the award criteria (and any sub-division thereof);
(ii) what were the reasons for the decision, including the characteristics and relative advantages of the winning bid and the scores
obtained;
(iii) a precise statement of the standstill period.
As a start-up company do I have a realistic chance of winning work?
The contracting authority (NHS, School, College, Council, Housing Association etc.) will be looking for the ‘best’ company to do the job. This is based on risk, competition and innovation. Generally, if you are a new company your experience and fi nancial stability will simply not be as strong as your competitors and as result you will be deemed a greater risk.
For the majority of tenders your chances of success will be low. It is important to note, however, that this does depend on the sector and value of the contract.
How can I get experience if I can’t win work?!
3 main routes:
1. Subcontractor arrangements – this gives you the chance to gain experience and build up fi nancial stability
2. Consortiums bids – working with another contractor/ supplier who could act as the ‘lead’ for a tender
3. Old fashioned sales – trying to meet the authority in person and get work under the ‘tender radar’.
How can I increase my chances of success?
Feedback is key. Obtain as much information as possible, whether successful or not, and let this tailor your future responses, or which contracts you tender for.
Also essential is building up your information/tender library and making best use of this – including performance measures, details of good practice within current contracts, management structures, supervisory methods, added value
activities etc.
It is not only about answering each question but ensuring your response for every weighted question is better and has more ability to gain marks than your competitors.
posted: June 6th, 2011
We have just had feedback that one of our construction clients has been successful in winning a contract with the General Medical Council. This is a new market for our client, a builder with 20 years’ experience, having never submitted a tender for the GMC before. We supported them on both the pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) and invitation to tender (ITT).
How we helped this client (and could help you):