At Complete Tenders, we help SMEs navigate the public sector tendering process, giving them the best chance of securing valuable contracts. If you're new to tendering or unsure where to start, you’re not alone! Our tender writers are asked similar questions time and again, so we’ve put together this blog to provide the answers to some of these frequently asked questions.
Can I start tendering right away?
If you're a start-up or a new business, you might be eager to dive into tendering immediately. However, while there’s nothing stopping you from applying, it’s important to ensure you meet the basic requirements before submitting a bid. Public sector buyers typically look for evidence of experience that you have delivered something similar before, financial stability and policies that demonstrate compliance with industry standards.
Here’s what you should consider before starting:
✔ Experience & case studies - tenders require proof of previous work. If you’re a start-up, consider partnering with an established business who already have a contract or using case studies from previous roles.
✔ Financial stability - tenders typically require a minimum turnover threshold or financial history (e.g., two years of accounts). However it is worth noting that not having this doesn’t automatically rule you out in every case. You may be able to look at alternate options such as providing a P&L account statement, cash flow forecast or bank letter outlining current cash and credit position so talk to your accountant about what’s possible.
✔ Policies & certifications - Health & Safety, GDPR, Environmental and Equality policies are often required. Depending on your industry, you may also need specific accreditations.
✔ Resources to deliver - winning a contract is one thing; fulfilling it is another. Ensure you have the staff, supply chain and systems in place to deliver the contract successfully.
I don’t know where to start with tendering, can you help?
Absolutely! Many SMEs find the tendering process daunting. We provide a variety of services to help you and would suggest you start with the following approach:
1. Identify suitable opportunities - start looking at what opportunities are available that align to your business goals. Use search filters like location and keywords to help narrow your search.
2. Understand what’s required - review the tender documents to understand what you need and importantly, when the deadline is. This includes everything from policies and certifications and pricing, to business continuity plans, resourcing and case studies. Ask yourself - do I have what’s needed to submit a strong bid?
3. Draft your responses - once you are confident that you have what’s required you can start to draft your responses. Ensure you give yourself time to work with your internal subject matter experts to develop the strongest response. Once you are happy, upload your responses to the portal, sticking within the word count and ensuring this is all done ahead of the deadline
4. Review and refine - whether you are successful or not, always take time to review the response from the procurement team, learning and refining after each submission to give yourself the best chance of success.
What are my chances? Will you guarantee me the win?
We wish we could guarantee a win, but unfortunately no one can. Tendering is highly competitive and success depends on multiple factors, including your experience, pricing, and how well your bid meets the buyer’s needs.
What we do guarantee for those working with us is:
✔ A professionally written, high-quality submission that maximises your chances of winning.
✔ Expert guidance to help you present your business in the best possible light.
✔ Honest feedback so if we think a bid isn’t the right fit for you, we’ll tell you and suggest alternatives.
What exactly do you do?
We specialise in helping SMEs find and win public sector contracts. Our services include:
1. Tender searches & alerts - we monitor portals and notify you of suitable opportunities, ensuring you don’t miss an opportunity.
2. Tender writing - we write high-quality responses that align with the buyer’s evaluation criteria.
3. Complete bid management - we help you find opportunities, prepare for tendering and develop a winning approach to tendering that sees you respond to multiple opportunities each year.
Ready to get started?
If you’re thinking about tendering but aren’t sure where to begin, get in touch. Whether you need help with a specific bid or want long-term support to grow your public sector contracts, we’re here to help.
