On 24 February 2025, the Procurement Act 2023 came into effect, implementing significant changes to public sector procurement in the UK. While the Act does not explicitly mandate video submissions, the move towards digital innovations in procurement has led some contracting authorities to introduce new formats for supplier responses. This includes the requirement for short videos to support written answers in tender opportunities.
Why are tender videos being introduced?
The integration of video content within tender responses allows buyers to:
- gain a more personal insight into the company and key personnel,
- assess confidence, expertise, and communication skills,
- verify that the individuals who will be delivering the contract are actively engaged in the process,
- reduce the risk of generic or AI-generated tender responses that lack authenticity
And, for sectors where human interaction plays a key role e.g homecare, video submissions provide an extra layer of assurance to procurement teams.
Types of video content being requested
At present, we are seeing short videos (5 - 10 mins) being requested by commissioning authorities to introduce your business, premises and key team members. They are also asking for answers to specific tender-related questions and real-life examples to be shared.
We expect this to continue to evolve and to see other forms of ‘real-life’ validation, such as live Q&A sessions and interviews, being introduced.
Preparing for a video tender submission
If a tender requires a video submission/short film, consider the following tips:
- Understand the requirements: ensure you are clear on the length, format and content expectations for the video. If you are unsure, ask clarifying questions.
- Understand how the video will be evaluated: ensure you are clear on how your video will be scored, i.e. how can you achieve a 5/5 score? Again, if you are unsure, ask clarifying questions.
- Prepare what points you want to get across: structure the video to be focused and coherent, covering all necessary points, and ensure no personally identifiable data will be shared.
- Maintain professionalism: aim for a clear, concise and engaging delivery. Avoid reading directly from a script to ensure a natural tone.
- Ensure quality production: you are not expected to go out and invest in lots of expensive equipment, you can usually record on a mobile phone but ensure there’s good lighting, clear audio and a tidy background - they all help to demonstrate a level of professionalism.
- Practice: rehearse to build confidence and ensure a smooth delivery, and test the recording is ok before uploading to ensure no technical problems.
Need assistance with your video submission?
If you're facing an Invitation to Tender requiring a tender film or video submission and are uncertain about where to start, we can help. Complete Tenders has in-house TV and film expertise and can work with you to script and produce your video response to ensure you stand out.
Get in touch today to ensure your next tender response is a winning one.
