So you’re looking to expand your business, increase market influence,
or simply gain some long-term work? You may have begun to consider getting into bidding.
Becoming bid ready is vital in ensuring your company has the best possible chance of success. To this end, we have compiled a step by step guide to help maximise your potential.
The first rule of bidding:
Don’t Bid for What You Can’t Win
It is important that before embarking on a bid, you assess your capacity to win. Each step in this guide offers instruction on how best to ensure that you have every chance of success.
Step 1 – Find the right opportunity
The first step in bid writing is to find a bid you feel you can win. Make sure to read the documentation carefully. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you feel that you can adequately provide the services?
- Do you meet all specified requirements? (eg. Policies, Accreditations, Revenue, Staffing etc.)
- Can you offer enough information for each question?
- Can you provide evidence, experience and detail?
Gap Analysis
One of the best ways to ensure compliance is to conduct a company-wide strategic gap analysis. This will help identify weak areas, which may require strengthening before bidding. Make sure to read the specification carefully, and ensure you are fully compliant.
The gap analysis may identify deficiency in:
- Current policies and procedures, possibly highlighting the need for new ones which are fully compliant with UK legislation.
- Relevant business information, such as accounts and insurances.
- Relevant trade accreditations certifications such as ISO.
- Experiences, references and strong, persuasive case studies.
Finding Tenders
Click Here for more info on finding new opportunities.
Experience
Once you have found a bid you feel you can win, you need to start gathering some information. Most tenders require you to provide a minimum of 2 relevant case studies (or references) which demonstrate your company’s experience, reliability and competency.
Before beginning your bid process, it is important to ensure you have great case studies to put forward. Detail is key here, as we need to evidence all the knowledge, expertise and best-practice you have.
Step 2 – Documents
All tenders require evidence. It’s important that your company can provide as much documentation as possible.
You will often need to provide documentation, as evidence of compliance. This can include; Policy and Procedure Documentation, Accreditations, Certifications, CVs, Insurance Details, and Financials.
You must check the contract requirements before proceeding with a bid. If you can’t prove compliance, you won’t win the bid.
Step 3 – Learn the Rules
Once you are happy you meet all the necessary requirements, you must now learn the rules of the bid.
- How many questions do you need to answer?
- How many words or characters are you allowed per response?
- What formatting and font must you use?
- Is there a template provided or should you create one?
You must ensure that you fully understand the requirements of the bid before starting. Above all else, note the Submission Deadline. Make sure you will be able to meet it, and do not miss it.
Step 4 – Bid-Ready Checklist
Our Bid-Ready Checklist is your one-stop-shop towards ensuring you are fully prepared to bid. Take a look here.
Step 5 – Find a Bid Writer
Bid writing is a skill like no other, and can take years to master. If you feel out of your depth, or require guidance of any sort, Bespoke Bids can provide a range of services tailored to your needs.
Contact us today on: (0161) 883 1836 or email hello@bespoke-bids.com