Tender for a contract

Introduction

Submitting a tender is common practice for businesses supplying goods or services to other businesses or the public sector.

At a basic level you expect to quote for a job or write a letter saying why you should be given the business.

More formal tenders often apply to bigger jobs or for supply contracts spread over time. Public sector work in particular - ranging from your local council or hospital to a central government department - has specific tendering processes.

Even if you don't win the work this time, writing a tender can clarify your aims, strengths and weaknesses and you can learn for next time by asking for feedback on your bid. It raises your profile with the customer and helps you learn about customers' needs.

This guide explains how to identify potential contracts, what to include in your tender and how to write it for the best chance of success.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Finding out about contracts
• Should you bid for a tender
• Find out what the client wants
• What to put in your tender
• Writing your tender
• Tips on editing your tender
• Here's how I select and bid for tenders

Print options - What are my print options - Opens in a new window

• Add guide to my print portfolio (print later as PDF)

Email options - What are my email options - Opens in a new window

• Tell a friend about this page
• Send me an email alert when this guide changes