We have over 75% win rate and strongly believe our role is not simply to 'write' or to respond to tenders but to support our clients to win contracts.

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Proven Tender Writing Services

Thornton & Lowe has been offering tender writing services since 2009. We now have one of the largest and most successful tender writing teams in the UK. Our size allows us to offer consistent and high quality bidding services that are available on-demand by our customers.

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What Do Tender Writing Services Include?

Tender writing services are professional services that assist businesses in preparing compelling and compliant bids for contracts, particularly in the public sector or government. This is our area of expertise.

Tender writing can be a complex and time-consuming process that requires an understanding of both the tendering process, and procurement rules, as well as the ability to effectively communicate a company's strengths and capabilities. Professional tender writing services provide the expertise, experience and capacity needed to compete in this marketplace and maximise return on investment.

Definition

Tender writing services involve the creation of bid documents in response to an invitation to tender (ITT) or request for proposal (RFP). These services include a range of activities, including:

Analysing tender requirements and specifications.
Developing a compelling bid strategy.
Writing and formatting the tender response.
Ensuring compliance with all tender guidelines and regulations.
Proofreading and editing the final document.

Importance of a Well-Written Tender

A well-written tender is essential for success in the competitive bidding process. It should clearly demonstrate a company's ability to meet the requirements outlined in the tender, while also showcasing its unique strengths and value proposition.

Some key elements of a successful tender include:

Clear and concise language
Relevant case studies and examples
Detailed methodology and approach
Competitive pricing
Demonstration of relevant experience and expertise

Professional tender writing services can help ensure that all of these elements are effectively incorporated into the final bid document, maximising the chances of success. Our bid writing guide offers furthers insight.

At Thornton & Lowe, we offer a consistent and reliable tender writing services team, available on an ad hoc basis to support businesses in navigating the complex world of tendering for public sector and government contracts. Our experienced bid writers and consultants work closely with clients to develop compelling and compliant tenders that stand out from the competition.

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Types of Tender Writing Services

At Thornton & Lowe, we offer a comprehensive range of tender writing services to support businesses in their pursuit of public sector and government contracts. Our experienced team of bid writers and consultants are available on an ad hoc basis, providing the expertise and resources needed to navigate the complex tendering process.

End-to-end Bid Management

Our end-to-end bid management service covers the entire tendering process, from identifying suitable opportunities to submitting a winning bid. We work closely with our clients to understand their unique selling points and develop a compelling bid strategy that showcases their strengths and capabilities.

Personal Tender Search

Finding the right tendering opportunities can be time-consuming and challenging. Our personal tender search service helps businesses identify relevant contracts that align with their expertise and growth objectives. We use our extensive knowledge of the tendering landscape to source high-value opportunities that match our clients' profiles.

Tender Evaluation

Before committing to a tendering opportunity, it's crucial to assess its viability and potential for success. Our tender evaluation service involves a thorough analysis of the tender requirements, the competitive landscape, and our client's ability to meet the specified criteria. This enables us to provide strategic advice on whether to pursue a particular tender and how to optimise the bid's chances of success.

Ad-hoc Bid Writing Assistance

For businesses that require additional support during peak tendering periods or for specific high-value contracts, we offer ad-hoc bid writing assistance. Our team of professional bid writers can step in at any stage of the process, providing expert guidance and hands-on support to ensure the timely submission of a compelling and compliant bid.

By using our tender writing services, businesses can significantly enhance their prospects of securing lucrative public sector and government contracts. Our consistent and reliable team, available on an ad hoc basis, enables companies to access the expertise they need, when they need it, without the overhead of maintaining an in-house bid writing department.

The Tender Writing Process

The tender writing process is a critical aspect of bid management, requiring careful planning, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of the client's requirements. At Thornton & Lowe, we offer a consistent and reliable tender writing services team, available on an ad hoc basis to support businesses in navigating the complex world of tendering for public sector and government contracts.

Identifying Opportunities

The first step in the tender writing process is identifying suitable opportunities that align with your business's expertise and growth objectives. This involves conducting thorough research, analysing tender notices, and assessing the viability and potential for success. Our team uses extensive knowledge of the tendering landscape to source high-value opportunities that match our clients' profiles.

Preparing Documents

Once a suitable opportunity has been identified, the next step is to prepare the necessary tender documents. This includes analysing the tender requirements, developing a compelling bid strategy, and crafting a persuasive proposal that showcases your company's strengths and capabilities. Our experienced bid writers work closely with clients to ensure that all tender guidelines and regulations are met, while also highlighting the unique value proposition of your business. This is when we start getting into win themes and storyboarding, which are really powerful tender writing skills, which can often quickly improve your win rates.

Tailoring the Proposal

A critical aspect of the tender writing process is tailoring the proposal to the specific needs and requirements of the client. This involves conducting a thorough analysis of the tender specifications, identifying key themes and priorities, and developing a customised approach that demonstrates your understanding of the project and your ability to deliver exceptional results.

Our team of bid writing experts excels at crafting compelling narratives that resonate with evaluators, using clear and concise language to communicate your message effectively. We also ensure that your proposal is well-structured, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, making it stand out from the competition.

Features of an Effective Bid Management Team

An effective bid management team is crucial for the success of any tender writing service. At Thornton & Lowe, we pride ourselves on having a consistent and reliable team of bid writing experts available on an ad hoc basis to support businesses in navigating the complex world of tendering for public sector and government contracts. Here are the key features that make our bid management team stand out:

Expertise and Experience

Our team consists of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in bid writing and management across various industries. Their deep understanding of the tendering process, coupled with their knowledge of industry-specific requirements, enables them to craft compelling and compliant bids that maximise our clients' chances of success.

Our bid writers and consultants stay up-to-date with the latest trends, best practices, and regulatory changes in the tendering landscape. This ensures that our clients receive the most relevant and effective guidance throughout the bid process.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is the cornerstone of our bid management approach. Our team excels at collaborating with clients, understanding their unique selling points, and translating their strengths into persuasive bid responses.

We maintain open lines of communication with our clients, providing regular updates on the progress of their bids and promptly addressing any concerns or queries they may have. Our bid managers also facilitate seamless coordination among various stakeholders, ensuring that all parties are aligned and working towards a common goal.

Strategic Planning

Our bid management team takes a strategic approach to every tender opportunity. We carefully analyse the tender requirements, assess the competitive landscape, and develop a customised bid strategy that showcases our clients' capabilities and value proposition.

By using our extensive bid library and best practice templates, we streamline the bid process and ensure consistency across all submissions. Our team also conducts thorough reviews and quality checks to minimise errors and maximise compliance.

Feature	Description
Expertise and experience	Deep understanding of tendering process and industry-specific requirements
Communication skills	Effective collaboration with clients and stakeholders
Strategic planning	Customised bid strategies and streamlined processes

At Thornton & Lowe, our bid management team's expertise, communication skills, and strategic planning capabilities set us apart as a leading tender writing service provider. By partnering with us, businesses can benefit from our consistent and reliable support, available on an ad hoc basis, to help them secure lucrative public sector and government contracts.

Factors Affecting Tender Writing Costs

The intricacy of the tender requirements, the number of questions, and the level of detail required in the responses all contribute to the overall cost. More complex tenders demand more time and expertise, resulting in higher prices.
The length of the tender document directly impacts the cost of our services. Longer tenders with higher word or page counts require more time and effort to complete, leading to increased prices.
Highly competitive tenders, particularly in sought-after sectors or for lucrative opportunities, may necessitate more extensive research, strategy development, and refinement of responses, which can affect the cost.
If your business already has a substantial amount of relevant information, case studies, and supporting documents, this can reduce the time required for our team to gather and create content, potentially lowering the cost.
Some tenders have strict formatting and design requirements, which may require additional time and resources to ensure compliance. This can impact the overall cost of our services.

To provide an accurate quote, we will need to review the tender documents and discuss your specific requirements in detail. Our team will then be able to offer a customised pricing proposal that takes into account all relevant factors and ensures you receive the best value for your investment.

At Thornton & Lowe, we pride ourselves on our consistent and reliable tender writing services team, available on an ad hoc basis to support your business in navigating the complex world of tendering for public sector and government contracts. By partnering with us, you can benefit from our expertise, maximise your chances of success, and ultimately achieve a strong return on your investment in our services.

Cost of Tender Writing Services

At Thornton & Lowe, we understand that one of the primary concerns for businesses seeking tender writing services is the cost. Determining the exact price of our services can be complex, as it depends on various factors unique to each client and their specific tendering needs. However, we strive to provide transparent and competitive pricing that reflects the value we bring to our clients' bid management processes.

Price Range

The cost of outsourcing bid writing, or tender writing services can vary significantly based on the scope and complexity of the project, or the specific service you require. A typical public sector tender and based on working with a new customer, you can expect a quote of between £2000 and £4000, as a guide.

Our contracted tender writing services are structured to provide better value for money, win rates and return on investment. Prices start from £390 per month.

Search and Selection Service. Starting at £390 per month, our Search and Selection service not only monitors tender alerts daily but also shortlists and provides tailored opportunities. This service is carried out by our research team, who take the time to understand your business and what truly interests you, ensuring you save time and money.

Bid Mentor Service. Priced from £650 per month, the Bid Mentor Service offers clients access to tender writing support each month, as well as bid guidance sessions, bid strategy development and a bid pipeline.

Bid Administration Service. At £1000 per month, our Bid Administration Service encompasses tender alerts, portal management, tender inbox management, collating tender documents, handling basic supplier forms, and producing summaries to aid clients in making effective decisions.

Bid Success Programme. Starting at £1950 per month, our Bid Success Programme has been the cornerstone of our business and tender subscription services for nearly a decade. We become our clients' dedicated tender writing team, delivering improved results and a higher return on investment.