Last week we provided 2 simple tips to help when completing a PQQ or ITT etc. The third tip we can offer is that you answer each question as fully as you can. Even if you already work, or have worked, with the buying organisation – make no assumptions. Give as much information as possible – backed up with any relevant facts and figures.

Fantastic news for our asbestos client who have successfully navigated the tender process with a huge leading engineering company. We supported the client in the development of their tender, so it is brilliant to hear that they were successful.

We normally work with the client on public sector tenders, so it shows that they can be as equally successful to private sector work

Our second tip to help you with your PQQ is simple – work out which questions are evaluated and which are for information only. So, for example, questions about your company name, insurances and business activities are likely to be for information, where as questions about your processes and procedures will be evaluated.

If you know which questions are evaluated, you will know how to organise your time and resources to ensure you produce a robust response.

Unless you are writing PQQs/ITTs etc every day, the whole concept of tendering can be daunting. Like anything – whether a work project or building a small garden wall for the first time, breaking the project in to bite size chunks will always help. Over the next few days, we’ll publish a few tips which will help you.

The buying organisation will always offer a time period where you can ask for clarification. Take advantage of this. Read through the document, and ask the organisation to confirm or clarify any areas that you are not clear on. Completing the PQQ will be much easier once you are comfortable with the questions.

Great start to the week after hearing one of our electrical and heating clients has been informed of a successful PQQ with a local authority in the East of England. This is the first time we have worked with the client and it is great that we can immediately show value and expertise to an already successful company. We are looking forward to continuing to work with this client in the future – and of course with the upcoming ITT!

It’s great to see our services being recognised as valuable expertise! Our Director has been invited to join a Steering Group of experts in Bid Writing and Tendering, including representatives from the four nations (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales). This really is fantastic for Thornton & Lowe – as it will really begin to let people see what we can do and offer.

Skills CFA is a registered charity that develops and promotes business skills, qualifications and apprenticeships in the workplace. As the Government recognised standard setting organisation for business skills in the UK, SKills CFA are keen to work collaboratively with businesses and professional bodies when developing and reviewing business-related National Occupational Standards (NOS), Qualifications and Apprentices.Skills CFA has been commissioned by The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) to develop a suite of National Occupational Standards (NOS) [1] for Bid Writing and Tendering. These standards will explicitly outline what is expected, in terms of performance, knowledge and understanding, when carrying our specific Bid Writing and Tendering functions in the workplace

Creating a winning bid starts earlier than you might think. Like any task – you will need to be organised! If you leave the bid to the last minute you will immediately reduce your chances of success. As soon as you are aware of the opportunity or are invited to tender, start planning! Look at the questions to see:

1) How much time are you likely to need to complete?

2) What information do you need?

3) Where are you going to get the information from?

For example, a 10 question bid will differ in planning to a 30 question bid. Tenders can be daunting but if you plan your bid – break it down in to bite size chunks – you’ll find the whole process much easier. If you need to be getting information  facts and figures from other areas in your business, make sure you contact your colleagues in plenty of time – giving them the time to get the data that you need.

Super news for our security client who have been invited to present to a London authority following success at the ITT (invitation to tender) stage of a procurement exercise. We worked with the client through both stages of the process - the PQQ (pre-qualification questionnaire) and the ITT – by developing and writing the quality and technical responses.

Excellent to hear that our waste management client have been invited to deliver a presentation following a successful ITT submitted to a local council in the South East of England. We worked with the client to develop a strong and informative response to the ITT. We have been working with the client to produce really robust tenders along with striking design elements to their documents. It’s great to see our clients progressing through the tender process with our assistance.

Brilliant start to the week for one of our window cleaning clients who have been successful with their tender for a Framework with a local authority in South Wales. We provided guidance and support with the ITT, and the client is now in the process of working with the authority in providing services to multiple sites. The client is a small, well established business – again showing that SMEs can be successful with securing public sector work.