FAQ
How can Bid Write guarantee confidentiality?
We recognise that company information disclosed during bidding is often a sensitive issue and reputations, livelihoods and futures are often at stake. As Bid Write’s livelihood depends on ethical business dealings, confidentiality of your information is guaranteed. We also have our own confidentiality and privacy obligations and often sign client confidentiality agreements.
I often feel overwhelmed by reams of tender documentation. Do you?
Because we have read thousands of “Request For Tender” (RFT) documents, and can offer the insight from a procurement perspective in issuing these documents, we usually know what most information means and can advise you of what is important. Very occasionally (actually more often than we would like) we come across a very poorly written RFT document, but our representation on both sides of the tender transaction means we are committed to generally improving all RFTs for the parties involved.
I have been unsuccessful in previous bids because I did not comply. Can you help?
We see and hear of too many companies who do not even make the first cut in a bid evaluation because they haven’t provided all they have been asked to, especially in bids for government contracts. Compliance is a tender basic. Bid Write can take care of this for you through a “Writing Plan” at the start of the bid process and a checklist at the end to ensure you conform to all of the tender requirements and “stay in the race”.
Can you provide assistance with making my bids look more professional?
First impressions matter and a bid often provides your client with the first insight to the professionalism and commitment of your company. Bid Write has access to graphic designers for covers, artwork and graphic inserts. We can also advise with tips on bid structure and how to improve the look of your bid such as presenting information in charts, graphs and tables that are easier to read than text.
Can you help me avoid the late nights and last minute rush to meet submission deadlines?
We have had a fair share of late nights too, but fortunately we know how to mostly avoid them these days. A well resourced and carefully planned submission at the start of the bid (during the Critical Bid Window) with disciplined staff is the key to avoiding those late night pizza runs. Bid Write can help you successfully plan and resource your bid to avoid the last minute rush. Our tender tips outline some great ways to get a bid team off to a great start.
I often submit tenders but am unsuccessful. Can you help me improve my win rate?
Yes, most definitely. Winning a tender is a combination of success in four critical areas – positioning, compliance, persuasion and pricing strategy. Bid Write’s expert staff, tips, tools and techniques provide a platform to give you the best possible chance to win in each of these critical areas. The proof is our clients’ win rates that are regularly better than those they achieve by themselves.
What level of sales mumbo-jumbo is required in bids?
This sales mumbo-jumbo in tender speak is called persuasion and it is a necessary part of successful bid submissions. Bid Write’s tools such as its “Pyramid of Persuasion”, the ISBP technique, tips for captions and diagrams, and use of headlines over headings can all be used to improve the level of persuasion in a bid. They also ensure your key messages are heard loud and clear to give your bid a compelling edge.
Doesn’t the lowest priced bid always win?
No and we can show you proof. A range of factors usually determines the winner and this includes having the best value bid. Articulation of this value, and the significance attached to it by your client, is therefore often more important than straight price. So whilst Bid Write certainly cannot price your bid for you, we can certainly help you articulate your competitive pricing strategy and how value is perceived by your client. In fact, you will probably be surprised just how much we can help you with your pricing strategy. Conversely, we can help buyers make sure they properly attribute non-price factors and other benefits into their sourcing decision making.
Can you help me with funding applications?
The principles for preparing a winning grant submission to secure government or industry funding are very similar to buying and selling goods and services for a standard tender transaction. Bid Write has prepared many successful grant applications and can certainly assist you.
Issuing requests for tender and evaluating responses seems straightforward. Why would we need help?
If only it was easy! Getting the best value from your purchasing requires careful specification of what is required, requesting sufficient information from bidders to make well informed decisions and setting in place robust contracts that ensure all risks are clear and properly allocated. If you don’t get all this right there is every likelihood you will be disappointed with the outcome. Bid Write can help make sure you get what you need, when you need it, at the best possible overall value.