posted: December 23rd, 2011
We are finding that public sector tenders are increasingly asking for suppliers to show how they promote social responsibility. A recent article in the Guardian gives some handy tips from experts about how SMEs can promote social responsibility.
posted: December 22nd, 2011
An interesting article on what the aerospace sector is doing for small and medium-sized enterprises.
posted: December 21st, 2011
We often get asked to quote on completing a PQQ or ITT for a business. They have decided they want to go for it and are happy to put both time and investment in winning it.
But we often find that there is a lack of understanding with regards to the potential for success.
Deciding to bid for a contract is a big commitment – so make sure you have a good chance of success! We often have to advise the client we do not think they stand a good chance of success and therefore do not feel comfortable supporting them.
Consider the competition, the weightings and scoring criteria and your ability to really offer added value to the contracting authority.
Thornton & Lowe is more than happy to speak through this on the phone or over emails and support this key decision process – so please contact us.
posted: December 20th, 2011
On a typical PQQ or ITT the scoring mechanism is as follows:
| Range of Score | Description |
| 0 | Non-compliant, fails to satisfy specified requirements. |
| 1 | Marginally adequate, does not satisfy all requirements, successful completion uncertain, concerns regarding competence or capacity and ability to successfully fulfil the contract requirements. |
| 2 | Acceptable and mainly compliant, generally meets the requirements except for minor aspects and shortcomings, successful completion likely. |
| 3 | Satisfies all requirements, average, acceptable and compliant; successful completion highly probable, no shortcomings apparent. |
| 4 | Very good, negligible risk of failure; satisfies the selection criteria in all respects. Highly competent and above average. |
So how do you ensure you are scoring top quartile for every question?
Top Tips
Contact Thornton & Lowe who can help with your PQQ/tender response.
Answer the question: as part of our free tender assessment we see so many examples of bids that simply have not answered the question, or not answered all of it. You need to break the question down into its parts and ensure everything is responded to and that this is clear to the authority. Do you have a previous PQQ or ITT submission you would like us to check and offer advice for free?
Thornton & Lowe really can help with you PQQ and ITT responses. Please contact us now and it really can make a difference.
posted: December 13th, 2011
An article on the World Architecture News website highlights a recent report conducted by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland which officially proclaims that architectural procurement in Scotland is very costly, highly inefficient and damaging to the overall economy.