Writing a great tender response submission is critical if you want to secure Government and commercial contracts and projects. A compelling tender submission should showcase your capabilities and demonstrate how you're the best fit for the job. Keep reading to find out how to develop an outstanding tender response:
1. Understand the Requirements
Start by carefully reading the tender documentation so you fully understand the objectives and any specific requirements. This step is crucial for tailoring your response to exactly what the tender issuer is looking for. If anything is unclear, ask for clarification from the issuer (and don’t forget to check the tender documents for the cut-off date for questions - the last thing you want to find is that something isn’t clear only to realise it’s too late to clarify it). It's always better to ask questions than to assume something that might lead to a submission that doesn’t fully answer the questions.
2. Plan Your Response
Make a checklist of all the requirements and documents you need to submit. This ensures you don't miss any critical components of the tender. You might also want to portion different parts of the tender response out to various team members who have specific knowledge or skills in certain areas.
3. Highlight Your Competitive Advantage
Identify and highlight what makes your business stand out. This could be your innovative solutions, past project successes, or specific expertise relevant to the tender. It’s also important to support your claims with evidence, so include case studies, testimonials, certifications, and awards to build credibility.
4. Pay Attention to Detail
Ensure you respond to every question as asked, and tailor your answers to demonstrate how you meet or exceed each requirement. It’s also important to be clear and concise and avoid the use of jargon or overly complex language. Your tender response submission should be easy to understand for anyone reading it.
5. Focus on Value, Not Just Cost
Of course, being price-competitive is important but it’s also crucial to focus on the value you offer. Explain how your approach or solution provides the best return on investment for the tender issuer. If possible, suggest innovative solutions or approaches that could save time, reduce costs, or improve outcomes for them.
6. Review and Refine
Typos or grammatical errors can undermine your credibility, so carefully proofread your submission or have someone else review it for you. While you’re at it, check to ensure your response adheres to all formatting and submission guidelines. This includes meeting the deadline, following any specified structure, and including all requested attachments.
7. Follow Up
Whether you win or lose, ask for feedback on your submission. This can provide valuable insights for future tenders.
The Last Word
By following these steps and continually seeking to improve your submissions, you'll increase your chances of winning tenders and growing your business. Remember, each tender is a learning opportunity and a chance to refine your approach for the future.
If you find you’re too short on time to develop your submission, our tender writing services can help. It costs nothing to have a chat, so why not give Pauline a call today at 0400 514 579 or shoot her an email at pauline@tenderwise.com.au!