Prepare your business to tender for contracts

A tender is an invitation to providers to bid on supplying a certain product or service. 

Tendering for contracts in the private and public sector is becoming highly competitive. You can give your business an edge by showing high standards in:

• employment practices
• health and safety policies
• environmental compliance 

You need to prepare your business for the scrutiny of the procurement process. Good preparation will increase your chances of a successful bid. It can improve your prospects for future contract work.

Many tender competitions involve a pre-qualification stage. This is where the buyer seeks basic information about potential suppliers. Businesses which lack certain policies and procedures may not pass this hurdle.

Supplying major public and private sector investments can be lucrative prospect for your businesses. Experience gained from contract work can lead to further opportunities in:

• the rest of the United Kingdom
• the Republic of Ireland
• the European Union

This guide helps you identify areas for improvement and make changes. It advises you on how to find contracts and tender successfully.