MAKING BID
Supplying goods and/or services
Create Compelling Bids
A company requires a lot of bid management skill and effort when it bids (or tenders) for new or repeat work. Suppliers need to show in their bids and tenders how well they can assist buyers in providing the goods and/or services required. In addition, as a supplier you will need to determine how best to stand out from your competitors (e.g. quality of service, pricing etc.).
Bid management, also called tender management or proposal management, is the process followed by suppliers to provide bids and tenders to buyers.
Respond to Buyers
Proper bid management (or tender management or proposal management) is needed to successfully respond to requests from buyers. The bid management process stretches from the receipt of a Request For Tenders (RFT) straight through to the submission of the prepared bids and tenders.
Sometimes the buyer has complex requirements. Sometimes the procurement process is complicated. Keystone Procurement can help. We work with both suppliers and buyers in many sectors, so we understand the market. We can draw on our experience to help you compete and win, no matter how complex the challenge!
Bid / No Bid Decisions
Make Strategic Bids
Buyers use different terms when engaging the market. For example, Request for Information (RFI), Invitation to Tender (ITT), Request for Tender (RFT), or Request for Proposal (RFP). No matter what its called, the first thing any supplier must do is decide whether or not to respond!
Not every bid opportunity may be a good fit for your business. So, it is best to think strategically. You want to ensure that the bids and tenders you submit are in line with your strategic business objectives. Making better bid decisions will help to improve your contract win rate, and ensure you win work that you actually want to take on!
Increase Your Contract Win Rate
Keystone Procurement can help you to establish or fine-tune your bid / no bid process. Our aim is to help you to make more informed bid decisions, and maximise your probability of winning more contracts. In other words, we will help you to eliminate wasted time spent bidding for work that you have little chance of winning.
Improved Bid Management
Differentiate Your Bids
If your business wants to grow sales through bids and tenders, you should know that it takes time, commitment and the correct bid management approach to achieve success.
The clock starts with the receipt of an invitation from the buyer (RFI, ITT, RFT< RFP etc.). Once you decide need to make a bid or tender, you need to identify your bid manager. It is their job to coordinate and shape a credible proposal. Your bid should differentiate your business from others, outline your understanding of the buyer’s requirements, and relay exactly how your company will meet those requirements.
Establish Bid Management Experts
Your bid manager should have the experience needed to determine bespoke and creative solutions for any unique challenges associated with the bid or tender.
In addition, good project management skills are required to ensure that bids can be submitted on-time. Not only that, you need sufficient time to ensure that the final bid is reviewed – and updated if needed.
Your bid management leader will involve the right people at the right times to assist in the development of the bids.
Establish Bid Management Processes
Develop Winning Bid Strategies
Keystone Procurement works with suppliers that are focused on developing a winning edge for critical bids / tenders. Sure, we write bids and tenders – very compelling ones. However, we do much more. We also help businesses to improve their bid strategies and develop a clear plan for each bid or tender. Specifically, we will provide a robust challenge to your bid management processes so that your bids describe your value proposition as clearly as possible. We also provide feedback throughout the process as our client develops their bid content, up until the time of bid submission.
In a nutshell, Keystone Procurement helps suppliers to coordinate and manage the development of bids. By working with you to coordinate and manage all aspects of the bid management / tender management process, we help your employees spend more time on their day-to-day activities.
Write Persuasive Bids
Keystone Procurement produces high-quality tenders and bids that are tailored, insightful and focused on the buyer’s needs. We highlight the unique benefits that the supplier can offer the buyer. In addition, we also ensure that all legal, insurance and other compliance requirements are identified and dealt with before the bid is submitted.
Our expert business consultants know the level of preparation and focus needed throughout the bid management process. So, we will help you to maximise your chances of winning the contract on offer by making sure your bids are compelling, tailored and professional. Not only that, we have the expertise to develop tenders with sensitive or complex elements such as outsourcing, regulatory compliance, or enterprise level IT systems.
Prepare Supplier Team for Buyer Discussions
Keystone Procurement can also help you to prepare for supplier presentations and negotiations.
Contact us for more information on how we can support your bid management needs.
On the other hand, if you are a buyer looking for support in sourcing suppliers of products and/or services, check out our Procurement Sourcing page. Here you will find out how we can help you to prepare high-quality tender documents such as a Request for Information (RFI), Invitation to Tender (ITT), or Request for Proposal (RFP).
A Bid Management Testimonial
What one of our customers has to say about our Bid Management services.
Keystone Procurement assisted Wexford Local Development with bid strategy, development and advice over the course of several contests. Also, they provided other strategic support services to us and advised on considerations for our organisation both before and after tender contests. Consequently, they have delivered great value for our organisation and helped us to continue the delivery of support services in County Wexford on our key programmes.
Brian Kehoe
CEO, Wexford Local Development
Our Thoughts
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