4 Misconceptions Surrounding Online Government Tenders
Since the enforcement of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the directives, regulations and policies relating to the procurement of supplies, works and services in the public sector have stepped up a notch. In plain English, since the government have set stricter and more immutable rules around the purchasing of goods and services with public money, the procurement and tendering process has gained prominence.
Indeed, government tenders are gaining ground, importance and visibility and are rapidly becoming the most effective and common way for local authorities and government departments to handle their purchasing. Hence, it is worth understanding a little more about government tenders, how to approach them, their benefits and common mistakes associated with the tendering process. Moreover, since the majority of government tenders are online, it is worth considering the implications of this relatively new, streamlined approach to the process.
Common misconceptions surrounding online government tenders:
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“There is a common formula”
I’m afraid not! You’d be hard pushed to find anything other than vague similarities between the majority of online government tenders. As is no surprise in the procurement sector, there is no simple answer, nor one single formula that can be used across the board. (If only!) Absolutely, as procurement experts, we can never stress enough that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for online government tenders. If there were a single solution to every bid, we’d be out of a job! Whilst it is sometimes possible to predict question “themes” depending on the sector, e.g. a greater emphasis on health and safety in the construction industry, I’m afraid to say the similarities end there. Many bidders fall down by kidding themselves that it is possible to replicate responses across the board. Rather, it is the case that online government tenders simply don’t work that way.
Bidders need to recognize that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach and take care to cover off the requirements of each bid individually. If you’d like a hand making sure your bid ticks the right boxes and addresses the buyer’s requirements, talk to our Hudson Succeed team today. Our internal team of procurement experts have lots of help and guidance to offer as well as being able to handle your tender submission directly.
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“If I go in cheap, I will win”
Not necessarily! A low price will certainly not compensate for a hasty, incomplete or sloppy quality response. Whilst it is true that bidders for online government tenders should price as competitively as possible, this is not the only factor. Online government tenders are typically (but not always!) evaluated on a balance of price and quality. It is important to look at the requirements of each individual opportunity. Of course, if a tender is scored on a 100% price basis, but still includes a quality aspect, you probably won’t need to exhaust yourself by writing in-depth responses. And vice versa! But, it is important not to completely disregard the other, or non-assessed aspect. Sloppiness will not reflect well on your organisation when it comes to online government tenders. Simply, look at the evaluation criteria and manage your time, focus your efforts and respond accordingly.
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“I don’t need to read the specification”
Don’t let yourself down at the first hurdle. All government tenders online will have a specification. This might be in the form of a single page of A4, or a 300-page document. Whichever it might be, read it! It might seem tiresome, but it is important. Many bidders overlook the fact that you can’t realistically hope to respond to a buyer’s requirements if you don’t know what those requirements actually are. We know the specification can be a lot to digest. If you’re struggling, contact our Hudson Succeed Team today. Our experts can provide a second pair of eyes, some help and advice or write your submission for you.
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“This is the least of my worries right now”
Now, this isn’t the attitude that’s going to win you new work! A lot of bidders let themselves down by pushing the application for online government tenders down their priority list and rushing to submit at the last minute. It is important to take an online government tender seriously if you choose to embark on the bid process. Don’t underestimate the amount of work that can be involved and the returns that are up for grabs if you are prepared to put in the effort. Time Management and prioritising is key! In fact, check out our Tender VLE Time Management video for loads of helpful hints and tips. If you need someone to take the process off your hands, contact our Hudson Succeed team today who can explain more about our Tender Writing Services and Tender Management Services.
Why bid for online government tenders?
Now you might be sat there thinking that your business has been ticking along nicely without the need to bid for work. And this might be true, but it is worth not overlooking the benefits of tendering.
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Diversification
Winning key government tenders within your sector will help you to diversify your income streams rather than relying on one source. This is especially important for the third sector where income might be primarily from grants, bursaries and donations. Online government tenders will give such organisations the security of a regular income beyond this to help make their long-term strategy a reality.
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Sustainable income
Winning a government contract will lend sustainability and consistency to your income and help deliver continuous growth. The benefits of this go without saying. This helps businesses plan better, manage their cash flow, forecast more accurately and make more precise assessments of their assets and liabilities.
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Expansion
Online government tenders can provide businesses with a regular and consistent income stream for up to twenty years. And we all know that prosperity breeds prosperity. With greater disposable cash, businesses can expand, hire more staff, and increase their profits even further. Indeed, online government tenders afford businesses the perfect opportunity to do so.
Further Support
If you’re still feeling a little confused by online government tenders, their benefits or how to approach them, chat to our Bid Writing Consultants today. Our group of expert tender consultants are here for advice, guidance and to help answer your questions. Our team would be delighted to work with you to help you break into tendering, make your submission stand out and help realise your expansion and growth ambitions. Whether you need a second pair of eyes, a bit of friendly advice or the whole submission and bid process managed for you, we are here to help! Get in touch today to see how we can work together to push for tender success!
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