Tendor meaning and its importance in procurement
At Thornton & Lowe, we often encounter variations in how procurement and bidding terms are spelled and used by our clients. One such variation is "tendor," which is frequently used by SMEs looking to "tendor meaning" or to tendor for business." In the procurement and tendering world, the correct term is "tender."
Tendor meaning = Tender
'Tendor' is therefore a misspelling of 'tender', which refers to the noun or verb sense of the word related to formal offers to supply goods or services.
A tender is a document that outlines the requirements and specifications of a project or contract, and invites potential suppliers or contractors to submit their proposals or bids. For example, think of a local council who has a requirement. They develop a tender pack or document. They then invite relevant companies, or advertise the tender. You therefore here the term invitation to tender or ITT. So, a tender can also be the act of submitting or receiving such a document.
A tender is a common way of conducting public sector procurement activities, especially for large or complex projects that require multiple criteria and evaluation methods. A tender aims to ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive process that results in the best value for money and quality for the buyer.
Invitation to Tender (ITT)
An invitation to tender, or ITT, is a specific type of tender that is used to solicit bids from qualified suppliers or contractors for a defined scope of work. An ITT usually includes detailed information on the project background, objectives, deliverables, timeline, budget, and evaluation criteria. An ITT also specifies the format and requirements for the submission of bids, such as the documents, forms, policies, and references that must be included. An ITT is typically issued after a pre-qualification or expression of interest stage, where potential bidders are screened and shortlisted based on their suitability and capability. An ITT is a formal and binding document that sets the terms and conditions of the tender process and the contract.
Bidders who respond to an ITT, which you may have referred to as a 'tendor', must comply with all the instructions and stipulations, and must be prepared to enter into a contract if they are selected as the successful bidder. Our bid writing guide provides further insight and guidance on bid writing and tendering. Also known, as our Tender Writing Services.
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Contact us today'Tendor meaning' - other definitions
The word 'tendor' does have other various meanings and uses depending on how it is spelled, used and whereabouts in the world you are.
A few other meanings and definitions of the term 'tendor':
- Tendor (noun) - a person who tends or looks after something, such as a garden, a flock, or a machine. For example, a gardener is a tendor of plants, a shepherd is a tendor of sheep, and a mechanic is a tendor of vehicles.
- Tendor (verb) - to offer or present something formally or officially, such as a resignation, an apology, or a bid. For example, a politician may tendor their resignation after a scandal, a celebrity may tendor an apology after a controversy, or a company may tendor a bid for a project.
In the UK we would still use 'tender'.
Where to find tenders?
In the UK the key site for public sector tenders is Find a Tender Service. Our free software Tender Pipeline includes opportunities from this as well as Contracts Finder and Sell2Wales for example.
Finding private sector tenders can be a little more tricky. We have a dedicated article for this, which highlights the tender portals used by some of the largest private sector businesses in the UK.
Tendor / Tender FAQ
- What is a tender? A tender is a formal invitation to suppliers to submit a bid to supply goods or services. It outlines the requirements, specifications, and evaluation criteria that suppliers must meet to be considered for the contract.
- What is the difference between a tender and a proposal? A tender is an invitation to bid, while a proposal is the actual bid submitted by a supplier in response to the tender. In essence, a tender is the question, and a proposal is the answer.
- What are the common types of tenders? The most common types of tenders include open tenders, restricted tenders, negotiated tenders, and competitive dialogue tenders. Each type has its own set of rules and procedures.
- What is the tendering process? The tendering process typically involves identifying opportunities, expressing interest, receiving the tender documents, preparing the bid, submitting the proposal, and awaiting the decision.
- What are the key elements of a successful tender response? A successful tender response should demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements, showcase relevant experience and expertise, provide a competitive price, and be submitted on time and in the correct format.
- How long does the tendering process take? The duration of the tendering process varies depending on the complexity of the requirement, the size of the contract, and the procurement rules of the organisation. It can range from a few weeks to several months.
- What is a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ)? A PQQ is a document used by buyers to assess the suitability of potential suppliers before inviting them to tender. It typically covers areas such as financial stability, technical capability, and health and safety.
- What is a tender clarification question? A tender clarification question is a question asked by a supplier to the buyer during the tendering process to clarify any ambiguities or uncertainties in the tender documents.
- What happens after submitting a tender response? After submitting a tender response, the buyer will evaluate all the proposals received based on the predetermined criteria. They may shortlist suppliers for further clarification or negotiation before making a final decision.
- What are the common reasons for tender failure? Common reasons for tender failure include not meeting the mandatory requirements, failing to demonstrate relevant experience, submitting an uncompetitive price, and not providing sufficient evidence to support claims made in the proposal.
