What you need to know about getting successful tenders BY Jen Musyimi
Did you know that when you are invited to tender, you are just being given an opportunity to show your capability? And that it’s not by any chance a promise that the contract will be given to you?
Well, if you are a contractor, it’s best if you got this one clear. You need to understand that tendering is a method of procurement, which is just like window-shopping. It’s like when you want to buy something and you go round different shops with an intention of comparing prices.
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You will realise that most construction projects are procured through tendering. This is partly because of the need to get the most competitive prices for the works, but also to ensure for the delivery of the project is by the right person.
It’s through tendering that qualified people are invited to tender for a project given their experience. It will be hard for a plumber to be invited to tender for roof works, for example.
Even if they were invited, they would not be best placed to deliver the project best. It is, therefore, important that if you are invited to submit a tender you do it with certain attentiveness.
This will require that you submit the tender on time as instructed. Obviously, the strictness around tendering requires that you be disqualified if you brought your tender after the opening time.
You are so to submit a tender that is complete if at all you are interested in having a fair chance of winning the project. Give copies of all certificates and be legible in your presentation.
Another guideline is that you price the tender in a logical manner. Pricing should be consistent and well founded, keeping in mind that there is competition.
Pricing for construction works should not be guesswork or hearsay, but rather in line with what the description of the works calls for. More often than not, works that looked similar like concrete will not attract similar rate given the nature of the works.
The tender evaluation process is like an academic exercise. It’s either you have the requirements or you don’t. And your qualification simply depended on how best you answer the tendering exam.
