Tender Writing Course: Submit a Compelling Tender Proposal

Public sector. Uncover insights and transform your organisation.

COVID-19 update: arrangement of our courses

We are now delivering courses online and in-person. Please check the delivery format of each class before enrolling.

Please note that course materials (excluding prescribed texts) are shared electronically within 48 hours of course commencement. Printing is not available.

This tender writing short course offers a practical guide for individuals or businesses seeking to understand the tendering process. Whether you are a sole trader responding to your first ‘request for tender’ (RFT), or a business leader seeking to explore new opportunities, this course will equip you with the tools and skills to become ‘tender ready’.

We’ll consider tendering in the public and private sectors and identify the content you’ll need to submit a high-quality tender proposal. We’ll also discuss developments in tenders and procurement.

This course will empower you to:

• understand the tendering process
• evaluate and respond to a ‘request for tender’ (RFT)
• prepare a compelling proposal package for submission
• put you and your business in the best position to persuade the buyer to choose your product or services
• understand where and how to find tender and procurement opportunities for your business
• apply these concepts in participatory tender response activities.

This course is suitable for novice tender writers and new businesses, as well as more established organisations wanting to understand the tender and procurement opportunities that exist. We’ll consider tenders in a range of sectors including arts, education, health, science and technology, sports, community and social services.

Aims

This course aims to:

• equip your business with the knowledge and tools to become ‘tender ready’
• help you understand the tendering process in public and private sectors
• empower you to identify and respond to evaluation criteria, prepare a budget, meet relevant industry standards and consider other key requirements
• provide you with a robust strategy to prepare and package a high quality and compelling tender proposal, placing in you in the best position for success
• help you understand what questions to ask through the tendering process.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• discuss the many facets and requirements of quality tender preparation, writing and submission
• identify the content required to prepare, write and submit a quality tender proposal
• understand the tendering process, and the aims, objectives and priorities of buyers
• meet and address all criteria and present a value for money proposal
• identify different types of business opportunities including tenders, procurement, preferred supplier
• apply the tender preparation, writing and submission methodology to their next submission
• engage in meaningful discussions with professional colleagues on issues relating to tenders.

Content

The course will empower participants using the following framework:

Proactive preparation + strategic planning + excellence in execution = a compelling tender proposal

We start with the mindset that a tender bid is a persuasion tool that articulates your value proposition to a potential buyer seeking to meet their commercial or operational needs. It is not an information prospectus or a marketing package. Rather, you are persuading the buyer to choose your services through a competitive process which showcases your capacity and capabilities.

This is the foundation for the three vital components of the course.

The first part of the course will focus on proactive preparation and how to get ‘tender ready’ and organised, with all relevant materials that demonstrate your business activities.

We will introduce you to:

• the tendering process
• the types of tenders
• the components of a tender package
• where to find and identify tender opportunities
• getting your business activities tender ready.

The second part of the course will delve into strategic planning – from analysing the tender documents, to understanding the requirements, to planning your responses.

We will delve into effective preparation and planning strategies to:

• ensure access to and understanding of all tender documents
• determine eligibility
• understand the buyer and their needs
• formulate responses to the evaluation criteria that meet the key requirements and objectives of the buyer
• respond to all requirements.

To finalise the compilation, we will concentrate on excellence in execution – ensuring that participants have all the components to create a comprehensive and compelling tender proposal. This includes:

• ensuring compliance and conformance with tender requirements
• customising the proposal and tailoring responses to key criteria
• presenting a polished proposal
• developing or completing a tender checklist.

Intended audience

This is a practical course which will appeal to individuals or businesses preparing to submit their first tender; individuals or businesses who have been requested to respond to a ‘request for tender’ (RFT); and more established businesses looking to scale their operations via new opportunities. The course is designed for participants from a wide range of sectors including arts, education, health, science and technology, sports, community, non-profit and social services. 

Prerequisites

None

Delivery style

This tender writing course is an interactive workshop which includes presenter training, in-class exercises, class discussion and Q&A session.

Delivery mode

• Face-to-face, presenter-taught training
• Online training via the platform Zoom

Materials

All course materials are provided electronically (via Dropbox). Printing services are not provided. Please print course notes in advance and bring them to class. Please bring laptop or iPad, and pen and paper.