4. Tendering tips for prospective suppliers

     

Many Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) are unaware of the business opportunities to be gained from tendering for Government contracts. The perceived complexity of the process combined with government regulation issues lead to many SMEs either ignoring the market for Government contracts or submitting poorly researched applications.

The following information has been provided to assist SMEs and other prospective suppliers in the tender process.

Read the advertisement carefully

This will help to ensure you do not waste time and effort in preparing a tender that is subsequently rejected

Be on time

Make sure the quotation or tender is returned to the right place at the right time

Read the Specification

Make sure that the goods or service you are offering meets the specification contained within the tender documents.

Identify aspects of added value

Give thought to what you can do or provide which adds value to your offer

Provide the information as requested

Make sure that you provide all the information that is requested in the format that is requested

Sign your bid and all other supporting paperwork where required

All the information requested will be used to consider your tender application. It is important that all information is provided and the document has been completed fully

Information you may be required to provide to aid the evaluation process.

You are asked basic information about your company. The answers to this section indicate the type of company you are and the history behind your organisation (e.g. details of your employees, quality standards and public liability insurance).

Financial Information

You are asked to submit audited account and annual reports for a set period of time. If you do not have audited accounts you can still apply to work for the Council. However, without any accounts you will be limited to tendering opportunities with a low contract value.

Operational Considerations

This section gives you the opportunity to provide details of recently completed contracts/works which can be used by the Council to take up references highlighting the quality and standards of your workmanship.

Equality and Diversity

The Council is committed to providing equal opportunities for all members of the community. It is important therefore that contractors tendering for work can demonstrate a similar commitment to providing equality of opportunity and do not discriminate against any group within the community. Please look at our seperate Equality & Diversity documents for additional information in this,

Health and Safety

You are asked questions relating to your health and safety arrangements, and to submit your policy for review

Environmental Matters

If your firm has an environmental policy or an environmental management system you are asked to submit details with your application. If you do not have such a policy it will not prevent your from being accepted however you may be asked for further environmental information.

Insurance

You will be required to send in proof of Public Liability Insurance to a value deemed suitable for that Tender.