A Pre Qualification Questionnaire for FAQ’s – (PQQ) enables purchasers to identify the most suitable suppliers to invite to tender for contracts.

The document is a universal questionnaire for all interested parties. It contains a request for standardised information and is sent out to all interested parties. Responses are analysed and successful bidders are short listed to receive the full tender documentation.

For more information on completing PQQs click here.

An RFI (Request for Information) is a standard business process whose purpose is to collect written information about the capabilities of various suppliers. Normally it follows a format that can be used for comparative purposes.

For more information about our FAQs contact us here.

An ITT (Invitation to tender) is a standardised document by which the contracting authority invites interested Companies or Organisations to submit a tender for a contract. It encloses the conditions for the submission of a tender and gives the terms of reference or the technical qualifications required.

For more information about our FAQs contact us here.

Many companies are now choosing to adopt the tender process for choosing suppliers for products and services, as they believe it offers:

• Best value for money
• Enables companies to best use their purchasing power
• Ensures transparency
• Complies with government guidelines

You can find out about Private Sector contracts through:

• Building contacts with potential customers
• Advertisements in the local and national newspapers
• Advertisements in trade and professional magazines covering your area of expertise
• Following up press and other reports – companies expanding, new companies to the area
• Networking and picking up information from other businesses – and the Chamber of Commerce

You can identify public sector contract opportunities by:

• Following up contract notices published in newspapers and trade magazines
• Monitoring online government tender notices
• Searching Contracts Finder – the new government tender notices portal: www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk
• Searching TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) free for ‘above threshold’ contracts (with a value that exceeds the threshold above which an invitation to tender must be published throughout the European Union (EU): www.ted.europa.eu
• Opportunities in Wales: www.sell2wales.co.uk
• Opportunities in Scotland: www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
• Your local Chamber of Commerce will already have or be in the process of developing an online portal to advertise tender opportunities. Ask for the business development team at your local Chamber for more information.

Electronic procurement (eProcurement) is the use of electronic tools and systems to increase efficiency and reduce costs during each stage of the purchasing process.

e-auctions are increasingly being adopted by major players in industry and in the public sector. e-auctions are firmly built into the procurement strategies of many private sector companies to source direct materials, products and services and support services. They are increasingly used to support management of the supply chain and are not strategically restricted to primary suppliers. Both central, civil government and wider public sector organisations are building e-auctions into their sourcing activities.

No, more and more companies in the private sector are procuring their suppliers by means of a formal tender process.

There are three types of competitive tendering.

OPEN – Any interested supplier or group of suppliers may tender. No post-tender negotiation is permitted in this procedure.

RESTRICTED – All interested parties submit requests to participate but only those short-listed by the company are invited to complete the full tender. No post-tender negotiation is permitted in this procedure.

NEGOTIATED – This procedure is similar to the restricted procedure but allows for post-tender negotiation.

Generally a client will be looking for the following from a supplier:

• Value for money
• Contract management abilities
• Ability to deliver the product or service to the required locations
• Quality product/service
• Customer support
• Innovation

It is vital in the tender response that the above factors are highlighted and you are marketing your company in the most positive manner.

Price is an important consideration, but most clients are seeking “Value for money” or “Added value”. Most tenders will define the evaluation criteria i.e. 70% – price, 30% quality.

We do not apply flat rates or standard charges for our work. Our fees depend on the scale and complexity of the PQQ or bid. We will quote you a specific price for each job.

No. We cannot advise you on the financial components of your bid or on the contract price to include in your bid. Set out your price information exactly as the client specifies.

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Yes. We are experienced in compiling PQQs and tenders for e-procurement portals and will be happy to submit bid documents on your behalf, following approval of our drafts.

For anymore FAQs contact us here.

Yes. If you engage us to assist with a bid we will not work for anyone else on the bid or discuss the bid with any other party, whether or not they are your direct competitors.

For any questions or enquiries contact us here.