Tender Writing – Should you pursue every tender opportunity?

Applying for or responding to tender opportunities is a vexing question in the tender writing world. Should we apply for all, some, which ones, which ones should we steer clear of these are all important questions for the tender writer. The skilled tender writer will ensure they carefully analyse each tender, analyse the direction of the organisation, analyse the goals of the organisation both long and short term goals and ensure that if successful in winning the tender that :-

1. They can deliver fully on the requirements of the tender 

2. That winning the tender will support the overall organisational objectives

3. The tender will be financially viable.

In arriving at answers to these issues the grant writer should consider the following in some detail :-
  • Capacity and Resources

One of the key issues to be considered is does the organisation have the capacity and resources required to deliver the requirements of the tender in full. That means – do we have the human resources, the necessary equipment, the available product, the warehousing space, the storage space, the logistical support to deliver what the tender requires in the quantities and/or timeframes required. Failing to deliver fully on a tender leads to significant reputational damage within and across your industry and obviously would make it extremely difficult to win other tenders.
  • Organisational Strategy and Objectives

In applying for tenders it is important that the grant writer considers the overall organisational strategy and its long term and short term objectives. It is important that winning any tender supports where the organisation wants to head and supports the realisation of financial objectives and imperatives, reputational objectives, market positioning, short and long term growth.
  • Financial Viability

Obviously in the tender writing sphere it is vital that winning a tender adds to the organisational bottom line. In rare cases you might want to win a tender on a very slim profitability margin to close an avenue for a competitor or to showcase your skills/product etc in order to win further tenders. But in general it is important that winning any tender is financially a positive result for the organisation.      

As mentioned the skilled tender writer will consider these issues carefully and thoroughly. Tender writing is far more than just creating a response and putting together a document, there are many issues to consider and a high quality tender writer will be all over these issues.

Contact us at Red Tape Busters - http://www.redtapebusters.com/ should you require more information about this article or if you require specialist grant or tender writing experience to help your organisation or business win grant funding or achieve successes with tenders.

We are specialists in providing the following services:-
  • Lobbying
  • Tender Writing
  • Grant Writing
  • Resumes/Job Applications
  • Organisational/Business Development.

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