| Tips on Tender Response | | | | - Finally, review your checklist to confirm that you |
| When completing you tender: | | | | have completed everything you needed to do. |
| - First, prepare checklist to identify what you | | | | Tips on Submitting Tenders |
| have to do. | | | | - Always submit a conforming tender. This is to |
| - Read the ‘Request for Tender’ | | | | make sure that you are not disqualified for not |
| documents carefully and highlight the important | | | | complying with the tender requirements. It also |
| issues and requirements. | | | | gives the client exactly what they want. |
| - Evaluate if it is worthwhile for you to respond. | | | | - If you cannot confirm to the tender |
| Are you competitive? What are your chances of | | | | requirements then present as near a conforming |
| winning? | | | | tender as possible. Explain in your proposal the |
| - Ask questions if you don’t understand | | | | reasons for your minor variations. Try to give |
| something or require clarification. | | | | your client advance warning that you give may |
| - Identify whether any performance guarantees, | | | | be strictly conforming. |
| warrantees or other commercial provisions are | | | | - Submit a basic proposal with a no frills approach |
| required. | | | | and the lowest possible cost. This gives you a |
| - Check the tender conditions. Do not assume | | | | good chance of being included in further |
| that they are always the same. | | | | discussions with the client. In the similar tenders it |
| - Find out if there are to be any pre-tender | | | | may result in you being awarded the contract. |
| briefing sessions and make sure you attend. Not | | | | - If you have more options to offer, upgrade |
| only do you receive valuable information, you also | | | | your basic tender with value added goods or |
| get known. | | | | services. Make sure that these are priced and |
| - Check the tender conditions. Do not assume | | | | offered separately. |
| that they are always the same. | | | | Tips on Contract |
| - Find out if there are to be any pre-tender | | | | - You will sometimes be required to sign a formal |
| briefing sessions and make sure you attend. Not | | | | agreement. These are usually based on standard |
| only do you receive valuable information, you also | | | | conditions of contract. |
| get known. | | | | - Make sure you fully understand the terms and |
| - Tailor your response to each ‘Request for | | | | conditions of the contract before you signing. |
| Tender’. Do not submit standard performa | | | | - Make sure you understand milestones and |
| response for all tenders. | | | | performance measures as set out in your |
| - Make sure your response address each of the | | | | contract as payment can be determined by |
| tender specifications. | | | | meeting these deliverables. |
| - Plan to finish your tender well before the closing | | | | - Check with the purchase officer to find out |
| date and deliver your response at least one day | | | | what the department’s payment terms are. |
| before. | | | | These can vary between each department. |