Find a Tender: Your Comprehensive Guide

Let's take a look at the 'Find a Tender', the portal for high value tenders. However, let's also consider other similar platforms to ensure you find all the tenders relevant to your business.

Government and Public Sector Tenders

Find a Tender Service (FTS) - Find a Tender service replaced Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) in the UK public procurement process. UK buyers who previously published OJEU notices on TED now do that on Find a Tender. Find a Tender is your main platform for finding high-value UK government tenders. It lists active or live tenders, provides detailed documentation, and explains the submission process. Whether you’re a seasoned bidder or new to the scene, FTS is a key tool for accessing government contracts. It is the advert or contract notice which usually then signposts you to other portals to then access the documents and express an interest.

Contracts Finder - For England and other non-devolved parts of the UK, Contracts Finder is vital for finding information on contracts over £12,000 including VAT (or £30,000 outside central government). It remains a key tool for discovering tenders until it integrates into a single procurement platform by February 2025.

Public Contracts Scotland - Public Contracts Scotland offers a comprehensive listing of public sector tenders in Scotland. It’s a user-friendly platform that simplifies the search process for Scottish projects.

Sell2Wales - Sell2Wales is the Welsh Government's procurement portal, providing access to public sector tenders in Wales. It’s an excellent resource for businesses looking to engage with Welsh government projects.

eSourcing NI and eTendersNI - For Northern Ireland, eSourcing NI and eTendersNI provide essential information on local public procurement opportunities. These platforms help you find tenders specific to Northern Ireland.

TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) - TED is still relevant for accessing European public procurement opportunities. It's the online version of the Supplement to the Official Journal of the EU, making it valuable for finding tenders across the EU. If you're looking to expand your reach into Europe, TED is the place to go.

Private Sector Tenders - These can be a little more tricky to find and of course not always advertised. We have collated private sector tender portals.

Aggregated Tender Platforms

Tender Pipeline is our free site that aggregates tender opportunities from multiple sources. This platform simplifies your search by bringing together various tender listings in one place, making it easier to find and bid on relevant contracts. You can also monitor competitors contracts and wins.

Common Frustrations with "Find a Tender" Services

While platforms like Find a Tender are helpful for finding tenders, users often encounter several common frustrations:

• Poor Filtering Options - Many services offer inadequate filtering tools, making it difficult to narrow down relevant tenders based on specific criteria. This can lead to time wasted on irrelevant results.
• Lack of Organisation Tools - Insufficient tools to organise and manage tender information effectively can complicate the tendering process.
• Inability to Exclude Irrelevant Tenders - Users often find it frustrating that they cannot easily disregard tenders that do not meet their needs or interests, resulting in cluttered search results.
• Complex Navigation - Some platforms may have complicated interfaces that make it challenging to navigate and find the desired information quickly.

This is why other providers create versions, which are often chargeable. At Thornton & Lowe, part of our bid writing services includes 'Search & Select', which is a fully outsourced tender search function. We not only find tenders but we provide portal management and bid administration to support our clients.

Practical Steps to Find a Tender

1. Determine whether you're looking for public or private sector opportunities. This will help narrow down which platforms to use.
2. Register on Relevant Platforms, including those platforms it signposts you to such as Bravo, Intend and Chest, for example.
3. Many platforms allow you to set up email alerts for new tenders that match your criteria. This ensures you never miss an opportunity - though you will get quite a lot you aren't interested in. It is therefore important to consider how this is managed.
4. Once you find a tender, follow the path to the portal. Register and access the tender documents. Read through tender documents to understand the requirements and submission process.
5. Complete a bid no bid assessment
6. If it's all good and you are bidding - compile all necessary documents, ensuring you meet the tender specifications and deadlines. Tailor your bid to highlight your strengths and compliance with the tender requirements.

At any stage, you can of course contact Thornton & Lowe for support, advice or a quote to manage the process.

Selecting the Right Tender: Bid or No Bid?

You have now been able to find a tender. Should you bid? This decision forms part of your bid process. Choosing the right tender is the next key step. As bid management consultants, we know that not every tender is worth pursuing. We offer clients support on this but these are the key steps to evaluate whether a tender is right for you, ensuring your efforts and resources are well-spent!

Key Considerations for Tender Selection

• First, ensure the tender aligns with your business’s strategic goals. Does it fit within your current capabilities and growth plans? Pursuing tenders that complement your objectives increases the likelihood of success and contributes to long-term growth.
• Carefully review the tender requirements to ensure you have the necessary resources, skills, and experience. Consider whether you can meet the specifications without overextending your team or compromising on quality.
• Can you pass the financial requirements and other key pass/fail questions?
• Research who else might be bidding and their strengths and weaknesses. Understanding your position in the competitive landscape can help you decide whether you have a strong chance of winning.
• Consider your past performance on similar projects. Positive references and a proven track record can significantly enhance your bid’s credibility. If you lack experience in the tender’s specific area, it might be wise to pass on it.
• Identify potential risks associated with the tender. These could include financial risks, legal issues, or logistical challenges. Weigh these risks against the potential benefits to make an informed decision.

Practical Steps to Make a Bid/No Bid Decision

1. Initial Screening - Review the tender documents to identify any immediate red flags or deal-breakers.
2. Detailed Analysis - Conduct a thorough analysis of the requirements, your capabilities, financial viability, and competitive landscape.
3. Internal Consultation - Involve key stakeholders in the decision-making process to gather diverse perspectives and insights.
4. Scorecard Method - Use a scorecard approach to rate the tender against various criteria such as strategic fit, financial viability, and competitive advantage.
5. Final Decision - Make an informed bid/no bid decision based on the collected data and analysis.

If in practice, the data tell you not to bid, and you bid anyway! By monitoring the data you can look back at your decisions, which may likely change your future tendering decisions.

Find & Win Tenders with Thornton & Lowe

Understanding how to find the right tender can be a business-changer. Hopefully this article has provided you with a starting point. At Thornton & Lowe, we’re committed to helping you navigate the tendering process with ease. Whether you’re looking for public or private sector opportunities, our expertise and resources are here to support you every step of the way. Happy bidding!