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Whether you are completely new to the bidding process, or you already have years of experience, knowing when to dedicate time and resources to bidding is a skill that requires practice.
The short answer: don’t wait until the bid is released to begin planning your next steps.
Committing time and resources early on, before the bid is released, is the key to success. You may be daunted by how much planning is required before you begin writing your bid response. Don’t worry — we’re here to help break down the steps when preparing to bid!
At Hudson, there are four key steps we believe you must include in your planning to bid process. There are two external and two internal considerations: the Buyer, your competitors, your team, and your business’ reputation.
Committing enough time to conduct buyer research is vital to the strength of your bid planning process. In order to fully understand the buyer’s requirements and potential specifications, you (the supplier) must check that you can deliver on their needs. By researching their website, annual reports, and operational strategies, you can identify the buyer’s current objectives for their business. For example, if they are looking to reduce costs, you may want to adjust the price of your goods/services accordingly. You may also get a clearer idea of how much importance their business places on social value. Therefore, you can emphasise your social value offering accordingly.
The key is to keep flexible when planning. External factors beyond your control can change unexpectedly, therefore it is vital to keep your research up to date.
You must also commit enough time to research the market your business resides in and work out who your likely competitors will be. When competing for the same contract, you and your competitors will also be competing for the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) status. This means that not only will you be competing in terms of providing the most favourable price, you will also be competing for the best:
Therefore, as a supplier, you must ensure that, compared to your competitors, you can provide the most favourable service.
Becoming prepared to bid is as much an internal preparation as it is external. Keep your team up to date with market research and changes in external factors which may affect/influence the buyer (new legislation, innovations or even weather patterns). This ensures that your entire team are bid ready and that you are planning for all potential roadblocks. At Hudson, we are always bid-ready.
Always ensure that you maintain a strong, reliable, and credible reputation as a supplier. Maintain good relationships with previous buyers and always accept opportunities to showcase your business’ expertise. Even if you are entirely new to the world of bidding, invest in a strong marketing team to make your business more visible. If your company already feels familiar to the buyer, you stand a better chance at being successful — only if your reputation is positive!
No worries! We help businesses of all sizes, with varying degrees of experience tackle their proposal writing requirements.
Whether you require an end-to-end service or simply someone to review your writing, please contact us to find out how we can benefit your business!
Below you will find a list of our services and other blogs you may find useful!
Our RFP Writing service is the perfect solution to ensure that you submit a high-quality bid, even when you’re busy. Our writers will break down the solicitation documents, allowing you to see what the bid and the contract involves. This will help to ensure that you have all the specified evidence and meet the requirements of the contracting authority.
Our RFP Writers will then craft persuasive, high-quality responses, attach supporting evidence and even submit the bid on your behalf. Upload the solicitation documents for a free quote.
Have you already written a bid but need a second pair of eyes to review your work? Our RFP Mentor service will do just that. Simply send over your bid responses and the solicitation documents.
Our writers will then assess your work, ensuring that your responses are in line with the specification. They will also check for any spelling or grammar errors. You can then submit your bid with confidence. Upload your work for a free quote.
Do you need help with preparing a bid proposal? Proposal Ready can help businesses that are new to bidding or those in need of rejuvenating their content.
Our Bid Consultants will create:
All information and data on this blog site are for informational purposes only. Hudson Outsourcing LLC makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity, of any information. Hudson Outsourcing LLC will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided AS IS with no warranties and confers no rights.
Hudson Outsourcing LLC will not be responsible for any material that is found at the end of the links that may be posted on this blog site.
Because the information on this blog is based on Hudson Outsourcing LLC’s own opinion and experience, it should not be considered professional financial investment advice. The ideas and bidding strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional. Hudson Outsourcing LLC’s thoughts and opinions will also change from time to time as the market changes and as Hudson Outsourcing LLC develops.
