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Tag: building tenders

Framework Agreements vs. One-Off Tenders: What’s Best for You?

Posted on by John Hudson

Introduction

In the construction industry, businesses seeking contract opportunities often encounter two primary procurement methods: framework agreements and one-off tenders. Both offer unique advantages and challenges, and selecting the right approach depends on factors such as business size, resources, and long-term growth strategy.

Understanding these procurement methods is essential for construction firms looking to secure contracts effectively. Using a construction bid tracking service can provide valuable insights into upcoming opportunities, helping businesses make informed decisions about whether to pursue framework agreements or one-off tenders.

What Is a Framework Agreement?

A framework agreement is a long-term procurement arrangement between a buyer (such as a government entity, local authority, or private company) and multiple suppliers. It establishes the terms, conditions, and pricing for potential future contracts over a set period, typically lasting from two to five years.

Instead of awarding a single contract outright, framework agreements pre-qualify suppliers who can later be invited to bid for specific projects within the framework. These agreements streamline procurement by reducing repetitive tendering processes and ensuring that only approved suppliers are invited to compete for work.

Benefits of Framework Agreements

1. Consistent Work Opportunities

Securing a place on a framework provides contractors with a steady stream of potential projects. Although inclusion does not guarantee work, it offers a competitive edge over firms outside the framework.

2. Reduced Competition

Since only pre-approved suppliers can bid for projects within the framework, the competition is significantly lower compared to open-market tenders.

3. Streamlined Procurement Process

Framework agreements reduce the administrative burden associated with repeatedly submitting full tender documents. Once pre-qualified, businesses can focus on delivering projects efficiently rather than continuously preparing new bids.

4. Stronger Buyer-Supplier Relationships

Long-term agreements foster trust between buyers and contractors, leading to potential direct awards and a higher likelihood of securing additional contracts.

Challenges of Framework Agreements

1. No Guaranteed Work

Being included in a framework does not automatically result in contract awards. Suppliers must still compete for projects within the framework, and there is no certainty about the volume of work available.

2. High Entry Requirements

Framework agreements often have strict pre-qualification criteria, requiring businesses to demonstrate financial stability, technical capabilities, and compliance with industry standards.

3. Long-Term Commitment

Frameworks typically last several years, limiting a company’s ability to seek alternative opportunities outside the framework during the agreement period.

What Is a One-Off Tender?

A one-off tender (or standalone tender) is a procurement process in which a contract is awarded for a single project. Unlike frameworks, one-off tenders involve an open bidding process where any qualified supplier can submit a proposal.

Benefits of One-Off Tenders

1. Open to More Contractors

Unlike frameworks, which restrict participation to pre-approved suppliers, one-off tenders are accessible to any business that meets the criteria. This makes them ideal for new or smaller firms looking to enter the market.

2. Immediate Contract Award

Winning a one-off tender results in a direct contract award, providing immediate business opportunities rather than waiting for potential work within a framework.

3. Greater Flexibility

Businesses are free to pursue multiple one-off tenders simultaneously, allowing them to select contracts that align best with their capabilities and growth strategy.

4. Diverse Project Opportunities

Since one-off tenders are issued for a wide range of construction projects, companies can access various contract types, from small refurbishments to large-scale infrastructure developments.

Challenges of One-Off Tenders

1. High Competition

Since one-off tenders are open to all eligible suppliers, competition can be fierce. Businesses must submit highly competitive proposals to stand out among numerous bidders.

2. Resource-Intensive Bidding Process

Preparing bids for one-off tenders requires significant time and effort, including drafting technical proposals, financial breakdowns, and compliance documentation for each submission.

3. Lack of Long-Term Security

Winning a one-off tender provides a single project contract, but once completed, businesses must continuously search for new opportunities to maintain a steady workflow.

Comparing Framework Agreements and One-Off Tenders

Factor Framework Agreements One-Off Tenders
Work Security Potential long-term pipeline of work Single contract, no ongoing pipeline
Competition Lower competition (limited to framework members) High competition (open market)
Bid Preparation Once pre-qualified, reduced paperwork for future projects Full tender preparation required for every opportunity
Entry Requirements High barriers to entry (financial, technical, and compliance checks) More accessible to a wider range of businesses
Flexibility Limited ability to bid for contracts outside the framework Ability to pursue multiple tenders simultaneously
Administrative Burden Less frequent bidding required More frequent bid preparation needed

Which Option Is Best for Your Business?

The choice between framework agreements and one-off tenders depends on your company’s goals, resources, and long-term strategy. Consider the following factors when deciding:

Framework Agreements May Be Best If:

  • Your business seeks long-term work opportunities.
  • You have the financial and technical capacity to meet framework entry requirements.
  • You want to reduce competition and increase your chances of winning contracts.
  • You aim to build strong relationships with clients for future direct awards.

One-Off Tenders May Be Best If:

  • You are a new or smaller business looking to enter the market.
  • You prefer the flexibility to bid on various projects rather than being tied to a framework.
  • You have the resources to submit multiple bids regularly.
  • You want immediate contract opportunities without waiting for framework call-offs.

The Role of Construction Bid Tracking in Choosing the Right Approach

Regardless of whether your business pursues framework agreements or one-off tenders, an effective bid tracking system is essential for identifying and securing contract opportunities. Construction bid tracking services offer:

  • Real-Time Tender Notifications: Stay informed about relevant framework agreements and one-off tenders as soon as they are published.
  • Customizable Search Filters: Focus on contracts that match your business’s expertise, location, and financial capacity.
  • Deadline Alerts and Bid Management Tools: Ensure timely submission of bids with automated reminders and document organization features.
  • Market Insights: Analyze industry trends and competitor activity to make informed bidding decisions.

By utilizing construction bid tracking services, businesses can efficiently manage procurement opportunities, streamline bid preparation, and maximize contract success rates.

Conclusion

Both framework agreements and one-off tenders offer valuable opportunities for construction firms, but the right choice depends on your business objectives, resources, and strategic priorities. Framework agreements provide potential long-term work with reduced competition, while one-off tenders offer immediate contract opportunities and greater flexibility.

To succeed in securing construction contracts, businesses should leverage bid tracking technology to stay updated on available opportunities, streamline compliance requirements, and optimize their bidding strategies. Whether you choose to pursue frameworks, one-off tenders, or a combination of both, a structured and informed approach will enhance your chances of winning contracts and achieving sustainable growth in the construction industry.

How to Win Building Work Tenders

Posted on by John Hudson

What do you need to know about building work tenders?

Are you wondering how to win building work tenders for your business? Tendering for contracts can open many doors for your business – but only if you win the work. So, how can you make sure that your business is successful?

This blog will tell you everything you need to know to secure building work tenders for your business.

How do you win building work tenders for your business?

Here are some things you can do to increase your chances of success when bidding on building work tenders:

  1. Include case studies in your tender response

To win building work tenders, you need to show the buyer that your business is most suitable for the contract. To do that, you need to submit 2 – 3 case studies in your bid response, ideally from the last 3 – 5 years.

Case studies should demonstrate your suitability for the work. They should be similar in size and scope to the contract at hand. If they aren’t relevant to what the buyer is looking for, they won’t increase your chances of success.

  1. Be the MEAT

For successful tendering, your business needs to be the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). What does this mean? Well, buyers are looking for the best value for money. They want to choose a supplier that offers the best services for the lowest price.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should price your services low just to win the tender. Pricing your services too low could prevent you from meeting the buyer’s quality standards. Or if you win the contract, you might have to ask for additional funding down the line. Neither of these options will impress the buyer!

Instead, show the buyer that your business can offer an outstanding service for a competitive price. Added value will increase your chances of winning building work tenders for your business.

  1. Provide qualifications

With building work tenders, buyers often want to see evidence of your relevant qualifications and accreditations in your response.

As you already know, accidents can and do happen on building and construction sites. Therefore, it’s crucial that your business is complying with the relevant health and safety standards. The qualifications and accreditations could include:

  • ISO 9001; 14001; 18001
  • BIM
  • SSIP
  • IOSH
  • Constructionline
  • CHAS
  • Subcontractor.

To increase your chances of success, you should be prepared to submit evidence of your qualifications in your tender response.

  1. Prepare your social value responses

To win building work tenders, you need to prepare your social value responses. In tendering, social value has a minimum weighting of 10%, but could potentially hold a weight of up to 30%. The three main components of social value are:

  • Environmental
  • Social
  • Economic.

It’s important you demonstrate your social value clearly and thoroughly to the buyer. For example, how will your business work to reduce waste for the duration of the project?

Social value is particularly important after the COVID-19 pandemic. Buyers want to see how your organisation will prevent any risks caused by the virus. So, it’s important to reference this in your bid response.

  1. Study the buyer’s specifications

Our final tip for winning building work tenders is to study the buyer’s specifications. To secure the tender, it’s crucial that you answer the buyer’s questions in detail. Otherwise, you risk including irrelevant information in your response, which won’t do your business any favours.

It’s also important that you consider word counts or page limits set by the buyer. This indicates how much detail the buyer is expecting from you.

Where can you find building work tenders?

Finding building work tenders for your business can be a lengthy, time-consuming process. That’s why we’ve decided to simplify the process for you. With the Construction Tenders portal, sourcing tendering opportunities has never been so easy!

The portal is an opportunity tracking platform where we source all the construction and building tenders throughout the UK. We manually upload them in one convenient place, leaving you to focus on your business.

Other benefits include of subscribing to Construction Tenders include:

  • Receiving daily updates of available tenders, direct to your inbox.
  • Access to all private and public sector opportunities in the UK.
  • The ability to filter building contracts opportunities by keyword, budget, location and more.
  • No reliance on unreliable CPV codes or algorithms. We manually upload each tender making sure that you have access to 100% of building tenders.
  • Access to your own Account Manager. They can answer any questions or queries you may have about the tendering process.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.
  • 20-minutes free bid management consultancy each month.

Here are just a few examples of past building work tenders on our Construction Tenders portal:

Medical Records Building Works

NHS South West-Acutes – South West – Budget: £30k

WHC – Minor Building Works

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council – Eastern – Budget: £2.4million

Building Works – General Repairs

London Borough of Islington – London – Budget: £5million

Building Works for Temporary Accommodation for Colaiste Dun An Ri

Cavan and Monaghan Education & Training Board – Republic of Ireland – Budget: Undisclosed

FM Reactive & Planned Maintenance Building Works

North Wales Police – Wales – Budget: Undisclosed

Book a Demo with Construction Tenders

Book a free live demo of Construction Tenders today. As a client, you’ll receive a daily construction leads bulletin straight to your inbox when new building tenders are uploaded.

We actively source tenders for the following sub-sectors:

So, now you know how to win building work tenders for your business. For tendering success, it’s vital that you include relevant case studies, be the MEAT and provide your appropriate qualifications and accreditations. And don’t forget how important it is to prepare your social value responses and study the buyer’s specifications!

If you’ve tried the tips above and still aren’t seeing success, we can help.

Need assistance when looking to tender for building work? 

You don’t always have the time or resources to write a winning tender response for construction contracts in-house. Outsourcing to bid writing experts can help optimise your chances of success. They know what buyers are looking for in your tender response and how to best convey it.

Our sister company, Hudson Succeed, offers four levels of bid writing support services. They boast an 87% success rate and have over 60 years of bid writing experience. Whether you’re completely new to tendering, or need your response proofread before you submit, we can help. We offer:

Upgrade to Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can save you even more time, helping you identify tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. Our two time-saving tools can improve your competitor awareness and bidding success rate. Each package can help save you even more time when you tender for building work.

The Ultimate Time Saver package includes:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics for example.
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices are monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid.
  • Weekly phone calls with your on-hand Account Manager to discuss viable construction tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package includes:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business.

A Guide to New Construction Tenders

Posted on by John Hudson

How to win new construction tenders

Are you wondering how to find new construction tenders? There are plenty of opportunities out there, but how do you find them? When you do find a suitable opportunity for your business, how do you win the bid?

This guide will tell you how to find new construction contracts in the UK and offer tips for winning your next bid.

What type of construction tenders are there?

If you’re looking for new construction tenders, you might be wondering what type of contracts are out there.

Billions of pounds have been invested in the construction industry across the UK. This has increased the number of tendering opportunities out there. Especially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more businesses are relying on tenders to grow their business.

Buyers may require a supplier for a number of reasons, including:

  • Supply of goods
  • Works
  • Utilities
  • Services

You can tender for contracts in various sub-sectors, including:

The process of bidding for new construction tenders

 To win construction tenders, you need to understand how to apply for them. The tendering process will seem complicated at first. However, it can be broken down into simple, easy to manage steps.

  1. PAS-91

The first step in bidding for new construction tenders is completing the PAS-91.

In 2010, the UK construction industry launched the ‘standard selection questionnaire’. This is an industry-specific, standardised document that is supposed to streamline the tendering process. Basically, it’s a specialised PQQ. The document is widely known as the Publicly Available Specification, or PAS 91.

The PAS-91 removes the need for various questionnaires. Instead, you can focus your time and resources on a single document.

However, the idea behind the PAS-91 is the same as a PQQ. The buyer uses this to shortlist suppliers, so only those capable of delivering the contract progress to the next stage.

  1. Invitation to tender

If you pass the PAS-91 stage, the next stage of bidding for new construction tenders is responding to the ITT.

The ITT, which stands for invitation to tender, is released by the buyer. Suppliers need to respond to the ITT, demonstrating why their company is the best to deliver the contract.

An ITT could include:

  • The form of a tender
  • Preliminaries (including pre-construction information and site waste management plan)
  • Contract or contract conditions
  • Employer’s information requirements
  • A tender pricing document
  • A drawing schedule
  • Design drawings
  • Specifications

  1. Submit your tender response

The final stage of bidding for new construction tenders is to submit your tender response.

Your tender response should include details of the following:

  • Methods
  • Your pricing
  • How you’ll meet the requirements
  • Supporting documents, such as case studies, policies and procedures

Win a new construction tender with these helpful tips:

  • Your company should be the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT)

To win a new construction tender, your company needs to be the Most Economically Advantageous Tender. Basically, this means that your company will provide the best quality services for the lowest price.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the cheapest price will win. It’s all about finding the supplier who offers the best value for money.

  • Carefully read the buyer’s specifications

When you find a new construction tender for your business, it’s important that you carefully read through the buyer’s specifications.

The buyer needs to see that your company is capable of delivering the contract. If you don’t read the specifications, you may miss key details that are important for the bid. You might miss crucial information from your tender response.

  • Give yourself enough time

New construction tenders will take up a lot of your time. So, to win your next bid, you need to give yourself enough time to produce your response.

This is particularly important for construction tenders. The buyer may ask you to provide a drawing schedule or even design drawings as part of your bid. The last thing you want is to submit an incomplete bid because you ran out of time. Giving yourself plenty of time ensures that you don’t rush through the tender.

  • Proofread your response

When faced with a long document, it can be easy to miss mistakes and errors. Especially if you produced the document yourself. That’s why it’s so important to proofread your response when bidding for new construction tenders.

A tender response full of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors won’t impress the buyer. In fact, you’ll probably lose marks. To make sure this doesn’t happen, you should ask someone else to proofread your response for you.

  • Ask for feedback

 So far, we’ve offered you tips for winning a new construction tender. What should you do if you’re unsuccessful?

If you don’t win the bid, ask the buyer for feedback. Understanding where you went wrong could be the key to winning your next bid. You know how to improve for your next tendering opportunity.

Where can you find new construction tenders?

Are you looking for new construction tenders? Use Construction Tenders to find your next opportunity.

Construction Tenders is one centralised, easy-to-navigate portal hosting public and private construction leads and tendering opportunities.

You don’t need to rely on CPV Codes. Our Opportunity Trackers manually search and upload tenders from thousands of websites, making it easier for you to find them. You can find the best tender for you by filtering the results by budget, keyword and location.

Here are previous construction tenders sourced on our portal:

Supply of Constructional Timber (Marine Grade)

Waterways Ireland (CA) – Republic of Ireland – Budget: £100k 

General Construction Multi Trade – Housing & Residential (20% VAT)

Homes for Haringey – London – Budget: £5million

Construction of 2 x 80m2 Mainstream Classrooms

St Patrick’s National School – Republic of Ireland – Budget: Undisclosed

Construction of a Cookery School Including All Ancillary Site Works & Services

 Fourth Nature Ltd – Republic of Ireland – Budget: Undisclosed

Household Waste Recycling Centre & Waste Transfer Station Middlemore Lane, Aldridge Construction & Fryers Road, Bloxwich Redevelopment

 Walsall Council e-Tendering – West Midlands – Budget: Undisclosed

A subscription to Construction Tenders will provide your business with:

  • Access to all unique, private and public sector opportunities within the construction industry.
  • An on-hand Account Manager to answer any questions you may have about competitive tendering in construction.
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new construction tenders are uploaded that day.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.
  • 20-minutes free bid management consultancy each month.

Get in touch today to book a free live demo.

Want to save even more time? Upgrade to Discover Elite

Upgrade to Discover Elite to optimise your tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. The Ultimate Time Saver and Become a Pre-Bid Master packages can improve your competitor awareness and bidding success rate. They can help save you even more time when searching for new construction tenders.

The Ultimate Time Saver package offers:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics.
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Weekly phone calls with your dedicated Account Manager to discuss viable tendering opportunities.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package offers your business:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business grow.

 

Tender for Construction Projects

Posted on by John Hudson

How to tender for construction projects step by step guide

Wondering how to tender for construction projects? In each industry, the tendering process can slightly differ. If you’re tendering in the construction industry and you’re unsure of the process, we can help you. We’ve put together a blog on things you need to know about tendering for construction projects.

Construction tenders are essentially public contract opportunities. In construction, an invitation to tender may be issued for a number of reasons to procure the likes of:

  • Services
  • Goods
  • Works
  • Utilities

Documents required for tenders for construction projects

Documents for tenders for construction projects may be prepared for a range of contracts such as:

  • Equipment supply
  • Main construction contracting including the design by the contractor
  • Demolition
  • Enabling works

Types of tenders for construction projects

No matter the service or goods being sought the tendering process can come in many formats. Types of tenders include:

  • Open tendering

In open tendering contracts are first advertised giving notice to anyone wanting to submit a tender. Open tenders usually provide an equal opportunity for any business to submit a tender.

  • Selective tendering

Pre-selected potential suppliers are invited to tender. They are assessed and approved as being able to fulfil the required work. Selective tendering is generally only used for specialist works or suitable companies.

  • Negotiated tendering

This is when a client reaches out to a single supplier. It could be because they’ve worked together previously, or they are a specialist in that area of expertise. Working with a supplier they already know can be reassuring for them as they know they can trust them.

  • Serial tendering

Serial tendering is when tenders are submitted based on typical quantities or schedule of works. The documents will detail the buildings that would be covered by the works.

  • Framework tendering

Framework tendering involves documents that establish the scope of the works or services required during a certain time period.

  • Single-stage and two-stage tendering

Single-stage tendering is the most common route. It means all the information required by the supplier to submit their bid is available.

Two-stage tendering is useful as it allows the early appointment of a supplier or specialist. In the first stage, the supplier and the buyer can make an agreement between themselves.

  • Public sector tendering

Most tendering opportunities are published by public sector departments. This is because most publicly funded organisations have to spend their money equally and wisely. They have to create fair and equal opportunities for suppliers competing for the bid.

Strong examples can help you win your bid

When tendering for construction projects the buyer wants evidence to see what you’re capable of. Always back up what you’re saying with evidence. Providing good examples of previous work can help you win a construction contract. Some examples may include:

  • References from clients
  • Before and after photos of a projects
  • Awards and nominations
  • Completed risk assessments

What to do if you’re unsuccessful with your bid?

Tendering for construction projects can be a competitive market as there is a lot of competition out there. Everyone wants to prove why they should win the bid so don’t be disheartened if you lose the bid. Asking for feedback can help you understand where you lost marks and help you improve for next time. There are a number of reasons you may have lost the bid including:

  • Not answering the question fully
  • Spelling and grammar errors
  • Not concise or clear
  • Not including everything requested

Asking for feedback shows the client that you are committed to improving your bid writing. We recommend meeting with your team who worked on the bid. Discuss what went wrong and how you can work together to improve on the next bid. It’s important everyone knows how they can turn those weaknesses into strengths. 

The most important thing to remember when tendering for a construction project is to prepare as much as possible. Give yourself plenty of time to read documents and understand the bid at hand. If you rush the tendering process, you’ll find yourself unsuccessful with the bid. Be prepared and read carefully!

The more you go through the tendering process, the better you will become at it.

Need help to tender for construction projects?

Finding the right tender for your business can take a large amount of time out of your day. There are thousands of websites posting multi-sector opportunities and searching for leads can turn into a full-time job. Each one may have its own portal, login or password. Luckily for you, we have a solution.

Construction Tenders is one centralised and easy-to-navigate portal hosting exclusive, public and private construction leads and tendering opportunities. Gone are the days of relying on inaccurate CPV Codes! Our Opportunity Trackers manually search and upload tenders from thousands of websites across the UK. You’re able to filter and search the results by budget, keyword, location and more, streamlining the process.

A subscription to Construction Tenders offers your business:

  • Access to all unique, private and public sector opportunities within the construction industry.
  • An on-hand Account Manager to answer any questions you may have about competitive tendering in construction.
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new construction tenders are uploaded that day.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.
  • 20-minutes for free consultancy with one of our Bid Writers each month.

We also source opportunities for services including;

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

 

A Guide to Construction Tenders Online

Posted on by John Hudson

Opportunities for construction tenders online

There are thousands of opportunities for finding construction tenders online. However, it can be hard knowing where to start. We appreciate, all the information out there can be overwhelming. We put this guide together to help you understand construction tenders and the opportunities out there.

Construction tenders are essentially public contract opportunities. In construction, an invitation to tender (ITT) may be issued to procure:

  • Services
  • Goods
  • Works
  • Utilities.

When you’ve been searching for construction tenders online you’ve probably noticed how diverse the opportunities are. Tenders are often published for services including:

  • Roofing
  • Demolition
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Groundworks
  • Design and build
  • Repairs and maintenance
  • Project management and many more.

What is the process of winning a construction tender?

The construction industry can be quite savvy when it comes to tendering. So, we’ve broken down the process to help you make sense of it.

The standard process is as follows:

  • PAS91 or PQQ

A PAS91 is essentially the construction sector’s answer to a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ). This process is simply to shortlist the suppliers who qualify to deliver the contract. Be prepared to provide company details, compliance information and financial information.

  • Invitation to tender

Once you pass this initial stage, the buyer will usually release the invitation to tender. This allows you to respond to the tender and submit a final bid.

An invitation to tender may include:

  • The form of a tender
  • Preliminaries (including pre-construction information and site waste management plan)
  • Contract or contract conditions
  • Employer’s information requirements
  • A tender pricing document
  • A drawing schedule
  • Design drawings
  • Specifications.

  • Clarification

Clarification questions can be asked via the portal the tender will be submitted through.

You can remain anonymous when asking clarification questions, so your competitors don’t know it is you. Staying up to date with answers is important as it could change the way you respond to the bids. Remember to make a note of the clarification deadline as it could be weeks before the final submission date.  

  • Submission 

Once the bid is complete, it’s time to submit it. Your response will include methods, the price for supplying goods/services, and responses to how you meet the requirements. You will often also be required to submit supporting documents such as case studies, policies and procedures.

What to expect when bidding for construction contracts in the UK?

You’ve probably found hundreds of construction tenders online. This is because they are constantly being uploaded. Thanks to the billions of pounds invested in the construction industry across the UK. Recently, more businesses are turning towards tendering as a way of growing their business due to the impact of COVID-19.

Financial standing and health and safety procedures are some examples of what is to be expected in construction contracts.

What to look for in construction bid sites

We still have more information about construction tenders online. What should you be looking for to find the best construction bid site for your organisation? We’ve put together 7 things you should be checking for:

  1. The portal doesn’t rely on CPV codes

Common procurement vocabulary (CPV). An 8-digit code that allows buyers to classify what they are procuring. They are often used incorrectly, leading to extra time being wasted, wading through irrelevant tenders.

  1. The portal manually tracks construction contracts

At Construction Tenders, our opportunity trackers manually search thousands of sources each day. Instead of relying on CPV codes, they read and upload each tender manually, ensuring maximum relevance.

  1. The system focuses on your industry 

Most bid sites source tenders for all industries so there’s a chance you will see opportunities that aren’t irrelevant.  Construction Tenders is dedicated to the construction industry, therefore, cutting out irrelevant information.

  1. Allows for remote working in teams

Remote working has changed the way businesses operate in many ways. Especially since lockdown as most businesses have had to adapt to remote working. Our portal can be accessed anywhere anytime. 

  1. You’re supported by an account manager

You will have a dedicated account manager to offer support and guidance and answer any queries you may have.

  1. You have access to virtual learning

Our Tender VLE service is free and offers your business expert advice about tendering. We offer video masterclasses, fact sheets, blogs and templates to help with the tender process.

  1. You can outsource bid writing if needed

Some people struggle with writing. If you want to win a bid, you need a good writer to help you. We have developed Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division. This service helps our clients through the bidding process every step of the way. Our team are exceptional Bid Writers who assist businesses in multiple sectors to write compelling and technical narratives. Our bid writers are highly experienced with over 60 years of experience collectively and an 87% success rate. We have an extensive range of experience in the construction industry.

We source Construction Tenders on a daily basis from thousands of buyers, across the UK. Our goal is to save you both time and money manually searching for new construction leads. Our clients receive daily alerts when tenders are released. They also have 24hr access to our Construction Tenders portal.

Need help with construction tenders online?

Finding the right tender for your business can take a large amount of time out of your day. There are thousands of websites posting multi-sector opportunities and searching for leads can turn into a full-time job. Each one may have its own portal, log in or password. Luckily for you, we have a solution.

Construction Tenders is one centralised and easy-to-navigate portal hosting exclusive, public and private construction leads and tendering opportunities. Gone are the days of relying on inaccurate CPV Codes! Our Opportunity Trackers manually search and upload tenders from thousands of websites across the UK. You’re able to filter and search the results by budget, keyword, location and more, streamlining the process.

A subscription to Construction Tenders offers your business:

  • Access to all unique, private and public sector opportunities within the construction industry.
  • An on-hand Account Manager to answer any questions you may have about competitive tendering in construction.
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new construction tenders are uploaded that day.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.
  • 20-minutes free bid management consultancy each month.

Get in touch today to book a free live demo.

Competitive Tendering in Construction

Posted on by John Hudson

Competitive tendering in construction and how to succeed

Competitive tendering in construction is the most common method of procurement in the industry. In the past, the construction industry has gained a bad reputation for its low-price tendering methods. However, now competitive tendering processes are used in construction such as frameworks agreements.

Why is competitive tendering used in construction?

Competitive tendering in construction is used by a prospective supplier in response to an invitation to tender (ITT). Competitive tendering is used particularly by the public sector. The main objective of competitive tendering in construction is to obtain goods or services at the lowest cost. Now the public sector seeks to obtain goods or services that are the best value through open and fair competition.

Methods of assessing tenders other than the lowest cost include:

  • Best value
  • Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT)
  • Mean value
  • Weighted selection criteria.

A competitive tendering is often done via open tendering in construction. This is one of the tender procedures where a buyer releases an ITT. A competing supplier can then respond to the open advertisement with their tender response.

Framework agreement

Framework agreements are used as a form of competitive tendering in construction that can benefit suppliers. Winning a place on a framework can secure your business a pipeline of work. Suppliers can have access to ongoing work whenever the buyer needs it. The benefit of being on a framework means suppliers don’t have to go through the whole process each time.

Framework agreements usually ask for multiple suppliers to deliver goods and services under one contact. It is a form of competitive tendering in construction used by the public sector. They can run for years at a time with the possibility of extension. Typically, a framework agreement is split into lots. Each lot represents a specific good, service, work or geographical location. Lots allow suppliers to apply for the specific good, service or region they specialise in.

Do you need help when it comes to competitive tendering in construction?

Writing a tender response  for construction contracts can be overwhelming if you’re just starting out. If you’re not sure about where to begin we can help. Our sister company, Hudson Succeed, offers four levels of bid writing support services. They boast an 87% success rate and have over 60 years of bid writing experience. Whether you’re completely new to tendering, or need your response proofread before you submit, we can assist your needs.

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect construction tender for your business, why not send it over to us? Our Bid Writers can take care of it all for you. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown. They’ll even submit it on your behalf.

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready programme is perfect for those who have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to make sure you have everything you need in place to tender successfully. The 4-week programme offers your business:

  • A 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders
  • Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding professionals
  • An organisation-wide Bid Library, including 3 case studies, 5 CV’s and 8 policies
  • Additional flexible benefit options.

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing the results you want, our Tender Improvement package can help. The Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents, working with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders and additional tendering development services.

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your own tender response and need someone to double-check it for errors, Tender Mentor can help. Our Bid Team will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar or spelling mistakes. They’ll also ensure that it’s in line with the specification before you submit.

Where can I find construction tenders for my business?

Finding the right tender for your business can take a large amount of time out of your day. There are thousands of websites posting multi-sector opportunities and searching for leads can turn into a full-time job. Each one may have its own portal, login or password. Luckily for you, we have a solution.

Construction Tenders is one centralised and easy-to-navigate portal hosting exclusive, public and private construction leads and tendering opportunities. Gone are the days of relying on inaccurate CPV Codes! Our Opportunity Trackers manually search and upload tenders from thousands of websites across the UK. You’re able to filter and search the results by budget, keyword, location and more, streamlining the process.

Below are previous construction tenders sourced on our portal:

Isolation House at Westonbirt Arboretum

Forestry England- South West- Budget: £55,000

Building and Maintenance Services Contract

St Albans City & District Council- Eastern- Budget: Undisclosed

Estates Related Construction Framework at De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH

De Montfort University- East Midlands- Budget: Undisclosed

Outdoor Storage Room – CPTC

Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult- North East- Budget: Undisclosed

BBV HS2 MWCC North – Sewer Diversion Tunnelling Design & Construction

Balfour Beatty VINCI JV HS2- West Midlands- Budget: Undisclosed

A subscription to Construction Tenders offers your business:

  • Access to all unique, private and public sector opportunities within the construction industry.
  • An on-hand Account Manager to answer any questions you may have about competitive tendering in construction.
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new construction tenders are uploaded that day.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.
  • 20-minutes for free consultancy with one of our Bid Writers each month.

We also source opportunities for services including;

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Upgrade to Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can save you even more time, helping you identify tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. Our two time-saving tools can improve your competitor awareness and bidding success rate. Each package can help save you even more time when competitive tendering in construction.

The Ultimate Time Saver package includes:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics for example.
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid.
  • Weekly phone calls with your on-hand Account Manager to discuss viable construction tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package includes:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business.

3 Myths You’ll Hear When You Tender for Building Work

Posted on by John Hudson

Don’t fall for these myths when you tender for building work

We often get asked a lot of questions surrounding how to tender for building work. A lot of businesses seem to have misconceptions about what’s required and expected when bidding. Tendering for work can help secure a pipeline of work for your business.

Myth 1: “Only big construction companies can tender for building work”

This is a common myth that is constantly floating around the procurement industry. However, this simply is not true and if you’re an SME you shouldn’t be put off by tendering for work. In fact, the government has addressed this issue. They have the aim of levelling the playing field between SMEs and big corporations.

The government has a pledge to spend £1 in every £3 with SMEs by 2022. This means that public sector organisations are actively looking to award contracts to smaller businesses. Moreover, they have social value targets to promote local SMEs to tender for local opportunities.

This means if you’re an SME, you have a good chance of securing a contract for work. Once you’ve secured one tender for building work, you can build up your experience and grow your company. More contracts mean more experience, which leads you to being able to compete for bigger contracts.

Myth 2: “You have to search hundreds of websites daily to find tenders for building work”

Yes, this can be true, but only if you’re not utilising a smart tracking tool. You don’t have to trawl through hundreds of different websites daily to source the right opportunity for your business. You should be using a site that hosts industry-specific unique, public and private tendering opportunities. The best tender websites won’t rely on CPV codes to track construction leads.

Manually sourcing and uploading opportunities allows for the most relevant tenders to be found. You can filter these results via keyword, budget and location allowing you to find the perfect tender for your business. Construction Tenders is one centralised, easy-to-navigate portal that does all of the above and more.

Below are previous tenders for building work sourced on our portal:

Holbeach Refurbishment Project

The Police & Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire- East Midlands- Budget: £300,000

Repairs Subcontractor Framework

Great Places Housing Group- North West- Budget: Undisclosed

L Block L0.07 Science Lab Refurbishment

University of Bedfordshire- Eastern- Budget: Undisclosed

Flat Roof Repairs – Niarbyl

Isle of Man Government- International- Budget: Undisclosed

M&E & Building Works Magma Lab

Cardiff University- Wales- Budget: Undisclosed

 What’s included in a 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders 

  • All unique, public and private opportunities across the construction sector.
  • An on-hand Account Manager to answer any questions you may have about how to tender for building work.
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new construction tenders are uploaded that day.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.
  • 20-minutes for free consultancy with one of our Bid Writers each month.

The best way to venture into the tendering world is through booking a live demo of Construction Tenders.

We also source opportunities for services including;

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Myth 3: “The cheapest bid always wins”

It may have been true back in the day that the cheapest bid wins, however, that’s no longer the case. Not in public sector procurement anyway. This could very well be the case if tendering in the private sector. This is because private buyers are not bound by the same rules and regulations as the public sector.

In the public sector, the contract is awarded to the most economically advantageous tender. This is known as the MEAT and it means the buyer is looking at more than just price. They are looking for the tender that provides the most value for money. They’ll be looking at a combination of factors including, but not limited to:

  • Innovation
  • Technical ability
  • Quality
  • Price
  • Environmental factors
  • Ability to deliver on time
  • Sustainability
  • Accessibility
  • Social value.

Due to this, the quality of your written response counts, not just the price. Although, pricing your services right is important. You don’t want to undercut your competitors. A buyer won’t be best pleased if you under-price your services on your bid then go over budget on site. Therefore, it’s best to price your services competitively, but not overly cheap for the sake of it.

Need assistance when looking to tender for building work? 

You don’t always have the time or resources to write a winning tender response for construction contracts in-house. Outsourcing to bid writing experts can help optimise your chances of success. They know what buyers are looking for in your tender response and how to best convey it.

Our sister company, Hudson Succeed, offers four levels of bid writing support services. They boast an 87% success rate and have over 60 years of bid writing experience. Whether you’re completely new to tendering, or need your response proofread before you submit, we can help. We offer:

Upgrade to Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can save you even more time, helping you identify tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. Our two time-saving tools can improve your competitor awareness and bidding success rate. Each package can help save you even more time when you tender for building work.

The Ultimate Time Saver package includes:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics for example.
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid.
  • Weekly phone calls with your on-hand Account Manager to discuss viable construction tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package includes:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business.

Open Tendering in Construction

Posted on by John Hudson

Open tendering in construction: answering your FAQs

You may be wondering, what open tendering in construction is, and you wouldn’t be the only one. The procurement process, in general, can seem daunting if you’ve never tendered before. This blog will answer some frequently asked questions you may have about open tendering in construction.

What is open tendering in construction?

Open tendering in construction is a tendering procedure used within the public sector. Open tendering allows anyone to submit a tender to supply the goods, works or services that are required.

What is the open tendering procedure in construction?

The open tendering procedure in construction is a very simple, two-stage process:

  1. An ITT is released

A contractor will release their invitation to tender (ITT) when they want to procure something. An interested potential supplier can then respond to the specification with their tender response. Each tender response will be trying to persuade the buyer that they are the best business for the job. Their ITT response will detail how they intend to carry out the work at hand.

  1. The contract is awarded

After evaluating each bidder’s response, the buyer will then award the contract to the most economically advantageous tender. This is known as the MEAT and is the way in which the public sector award contracts. They seek the tenders that will provide the most value for money while performing the contract. MEAT evaluation means that the buyer is evaluating tender responses based on more than just cost. They will also be looking at a range of factors which can include:

  • Quality
  • Cost
  • Technical ability
  • Social value
  • Accessibility
  • Innovation
  • Sustainability
  • Environmental benefits
  • Customer service
  • Ability to deliver on time.

A contractor will note what each tender will be evaluated on within the tender documents and specification. Each aspect can be evaluated by the buyer on its own or combined, depending on the buyer’s needs. Open tendering can also be referred to as a single-stage tender process (discounting the contract award as a stage).

Why is open tendering used in construction?

Open tendering is used in construction in order for a buyer to procure simple goods or services. For more complex and larger projects, a pre-qualification process will likely be used. Pre-qualifications can come in a variety of forms such as pre-qualification questionnaires, selection questionnaires (SQ) or a PAS91.

What are the advantages of open tendering in construction?

Each tendering process has its own benefits and advantages. Open tendering in construction offers the greatest competition and allows smaller businesses to throw their hat in the ring. This encourages innovation and allows a buyer to view a greater range of proposals.

Need assistance when open tendering in construction?

If you’re still unsure about where to start with open tendering in construction, we can help. Our sister company, Hudson Succeed, offers four tender writing support packages. They have an 87% success rate and over 60 years of collective bid writing experience. Whether you’re completely new to tendering, or simply need your response proofread before you submit – we can help.

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect construction contract for your business, why not send it over to us? Our Bid Writers can take care of it all for you. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown. They’ll even submit it on your behalf.

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready programme is perfect for those who have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to make sure you have everything you need in place to tender successfully. The 4-week programme offers your business:

  • A 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders
  • Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding professionals
  • An organisation-wide Bid Library, including 3 case studies, 5 CV’s and 8 policies
  • Additional flexible benefit options.

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing the results you want, our Tender Improvement package can help. The Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents, working with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders and additional tendering development services.

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your tender response and need someone to double-check it for errors, Tender Mentor can help. Our Bid Team will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar or spelling mistakes. They’ll also ensure that it’s in line with the specification before you submit.

Where can I find open tendering opportunities in construction?

Finding the right tender for your business can take hours out of your day. There are various portals and websites that require different login details and passwords. Keeping track of them all can turn into a full-time job! We have a time-saving tool that can optimise your tendering efforts allowing you time to focus on your business.

Construction Tenders is a portal that hosts all the live construction leads and tendering opportunities within the construction industry. Gone are the days of relying on inaccurate CPV codes! Our Opportunity Trackers source and upload exclusive, public and private sector opportunities from across the UK. You’re able to filter and search the results by keyword, budget, location and more, streamlining the process.

Below are previous construction tenders sourced on our portal:

GB-London: Refurbishment Works – Aston Street

Newlon Housing Trust- London- Budget: £500,000

Whole House Improvements – Beaumont Estate Lancaster

Lancaster City Council- North West- Budget: Undisclosed

Rothienorman Kinbroom New Build Housing – 12 Units

Bancon Construction Limited- Scotland- Budget: Undisclosed

CFT: SE3490532B – Refurbishment of Kelly House Phase 2, UHD

CPD – Construction Health Projects- Northern Ireland- Budget: £400,000

Northfield Park Renovations

Blaby Parish Council- East Midlands- Budget: £60,000

A subscription to Construction Tenders offers your business:

  • Access to all unique, private and public sector opportunities in the construction industry.
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new tenders are uploaded that day.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.
  • 20-minutes of free consultancy with one of our Bid Consultants each month.

The best way to venture into the tendering world is through booking a live demo of Construction Tenders.

We also source opportunities for services including;

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Upgrade to Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can save you even more time, helping you identify tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. Our two time-saving tools can improve your competitor awareness and bidding success rate. Each package can help save you even more time when searching for construction tenders.

The Ultimate Time Saver package includes:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics for example.
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid.
  • Weekly phone calls with your on-hand Account Manager to discuss viable construction tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package includes:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business.

Cost Consultancy Tenders Explained

Posted on by John Hudson

Cost consultancy tenders: 3 things to expect

Cost consultancy tenders can be a difficult field to navigate if you’re new to the process. However, tendering for work can have multiple benefits for your business, helping it to grow. Cost consultancy tenders are released within the construction industry by public and private businesses looking to procure cost consultancy services. 

Below are 3 things you can expect with cost consultancy tenders

1. An open tendering procedure

An open tendering procedure is often used for cost consultancy tenders within the public sector. This process is commonly used to procure services that are deemed to be straightforward. It allows any business to bid for their contract. An invitation to tender (ITT) is published and any prospective supplier can respond. An ITT will often be split into two sections consisting of price and quality. The quality response often requires you to detail:

The ITT also usually includes details of the:

  • Award criteria
  • Terms and conditions

2. Framework Agreements

You can often find cost consultancy tenders as part of framework agreements. Framework agreements are multi-supplier contracts that can run for years at a time. They may even have the possibility of an extension and can be lucrative opportunities for your business. Frameworks are often used within the public sector to procure multiple suppliers for different services, good or works.

They are typically split into lots with each lot representing a specific good, service, work or geographical location. Lots allow suppliers to apply to the specific lots they specialise in or specific region they operate in. Depending on the agreement, a supplier may be eligible to apply for more than one lot. This will be stated within the cost consultancy tender documents. A buyer will require you to supply evidential proof that they’re able to carry out the contract. They must have the appropriate capacity and resources to undertake the works across all selected lots.

3. Case studies 

Cost consultancy tenders will require you to include a maximum of three previous case studies of previous contract examples. You should aim to keep these relevant. Include examples that are similar in scope, scale and location to the contract at hand. They should be tailored to demonstrate your business capabilities and include any challenges you overcame. Including unexpected challenges will allow you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and flexibility. 

Need assistance when writing your next cost consultancy tenders?

All buyers care about the quality of your written bid response, even if the quality is weighted less than price. You may not always have the time or resources to write winning cost consultancy tenders. If that’s the case, outsourcing it to bid writing specialists can help you secure your construction contract. 

Our sister company Hudson Succeed, are bid writing experts. They have over 60 years of bid writing experience and an 87% success rate. They offer four bid writing support services that can help with your next tender response. Whether you’re completely new to tendering or need your bid response proofread before you submit – they can help.

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect cost consultancy tender for your business, why not send it over to them? Our Bid Writers can take care of it all for you. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown. They’ll even submit it on your behalf. 

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your own tender response and need someone to double-check it for errors, Tender Mentor can help. Our Bid Team will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar or spelling mistakes. They’ll also ensure that it’s in line with the specification before you submit. 

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready programme is perfect for those who have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to make sure you have everything you need in place to tender successfully. The 4-week programme offers your business:

  • A 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders
  • Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding professionals 
  • An organisation-wide Bid Library, including 3 case studies, 5 CV’s and 8 policies
  • Additional flexible benefit options.  

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing the results you want, our Tender Improvement package can help. The Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents, working with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders and additional tendering development services.

Where can I find cost consultancy tenders for my business?

Finding the right cost consultancy tenders for your business can take hours out of your busy day. Searching multiple websites and portals can end up feeling like a full-time job! Luckily, we have a solution. 

Construction Tenders is one centralised easy-to-navigate portal that hosts all live construction leads and tenders from across the construction industry. Our Opportunity Trackers manually search and upload tenders from thousands of websites in the UK. There’s no reliance on inaccurate CPV codes that often results in missed opportunities. You’re able to search and filter the results by location, budget, keyword and more. This allows you to find the perfect cost consultancy tenders to suit your business needs. 

What’s included in a subscription to Construction Tenders?

A 12-month subscription to our Construction Tenders portal offers your business:

  • Access to all unique, public and private sector opportunities across the construction sector. 
  • A dedicated Account Manager to answer any questions you may have about cost consultancy tenders. 
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new construction tenders are uploaded that day.
  • 20-minutes of free bid management consultancy each month.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.

Below are previous cost consultancy tenders sourced on our portal:

Professional Services Framework for Project Management and Cost Consultancy Services 

Radius Housing Association- Northern Ireland- Budget: Undisclosed

Provision of Cost Consultancy & Employers Agent Services 

Niche Procurement Limited- North West- Budget: Undisclosed

Provision of Cost Consultancy Services 

Niche Procurement Limited- North West- Budget: Undisclosed

Provision of Quantity Surveyor and Cost Consultancy Services 

National Museums Scotland- Scotland- Budget: Undisclosed

SADC ITT for the Provision of Cost Consultancy ‘Holyrood Crescent Project’ 

Supply Hertfordshire- Eastern- Budget: Undisclosed

The best way to venture into the tendering world is through booking a live demo of Construction Tenders.

We also source opportunities for services including;

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Upgrade to Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can save you even more time, optimising your tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. Our two time-saving tools can improve your competitor awareness and bidding success rate. Each package can help save you even more time when searching for cost consultancy tenders.

The Ultimate Time Saver package includes:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics for example.
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid.
  • Weekly phone calls with your on-hand Account Manager to discuss viable cost consultancy tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package includes:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business.

What to Expect from Civil Engineering Tenders

Posted on by John Hudson

Civil engineering tenders and where to find them

Civil engineering tenders are released by a broad range of organisations. Predominantly, they can be expected in the public sector and local councils are often procuring civil engineering works and services.

Civil engineering tenders can cover a broad scope of works and services. Often, they’re split into two broad categories:

  1. Minor Civils and building works

These are typically used for minor works that are small and uncomplex construction projects. This could cover both new and repair and renovation works that are below £500,000 in value. These civil engineering tenders could cover activities and works such as:

  • Footpath and cycleway improvements
  • Flood alleviation and land drainage improvements
  • Environmental improvements
  • Highway improvements
  • Hard landscaping
  • Construction of above and below ground structures
  • Drainage works.

  1. Major and complex works

These typically involve large one-off projects with a value over £500,000. Such civil engineering tenders often cover works such as:

  • Public buildings
  • Bridges
  • Coastal defences
  • Infrastructures such as drainage and flood defences.

RIBA planning and outline

Civil engineering tenders may require you to provide a RIBA Plan of Work outline for a certain stage. For example, this may be required for civil engineering tenders for new housing. This could include but isn’t limited to:

  • A detailed design of the work
  • Technical approvals
  • The main contract bid compliance checking
  • Works compliance and design checking
  • Design risk assessment
  • Full technical design and specification
  • Obtaining technical approval
  • Provision Sums for meetings
  • Project brief table
  • Health and safety.

Framework agreements

Civil engineering tenders can often be found as part of a framework agreement. Framework agreements are multi-supplier agreements often used within the public sector. The length of each framework agreement can vary from a few months to multiple years. Some even offer the possibility of extension. Due to this, securing a place on a framework agreement can be a lucrative opportunity for your business.

Framework agreements are split into different lots. Each lot can either be a specific good, service, work or geographical location. They allow suppliers to apply to be part of a wider contract without needing to supply all areas. The number of suppliers for each lot varies and can be anything from four suppliers for one lot to ten. Suppliers need only apply for the specific lot[s] they specialise in.

Depending on the buyer, suppliers may be able to bid on any or all of the framework lots available. This will be stated within the tender documents and tender specification released by the buyer. If this is an option, a supplier must be able to demonstrate that they’re able to undertake all works. They must have the appropriate capacity and resources to undertake the works across all selected lots. Civil engineering tender lots are typically split into geographical location and project value.

Past experience

Civil engineering tenders will likely require you to provide previous contract examples of work you have completed. They should be similar in complexity and scope and style. You may be asked for up to three examples within the last five years. They are often referred to as case studies and can strengthen your bid. Make sure you keep them relevant and include any challenges you overcame.

The contract will be awarded to the MEAT

As civil engineering tenders are frequent within the public sector, you should aim to be the MEAT. The MEAT stands for the most economically advantageous tender. This means the buyer is looking for a tender that provides the most value for money. A buyer will look at a combination of factors both individually and combined. These can include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

  • Innovation
  • Accessibility
  • Ability to deliver on time and within budget
  • Technical ability
  • Quality
  • Environmental and sustainable factors.

Social value

Local authorities civil engineering tenders now have a mandatory minimum 10% weighting on social value. It’s an important aspect of any public sector contract. The promises you make in the section can be contractually binding, so it’s not something you should gloss over. Social value is the social, environmental and economic aspects you plan to address during the contract. This could include:

  • COVID-19 recovery
  • Reducing waste
  • Creating new jobs and promoting skills
  • Tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions
  • Paying employee National Living Wage to tackle economic inequality
  • The equal opportunities policies you implement.

 Company CVs

Construction contracts in the UK may require you to include detailed CVs of the team members proposed to work on the project. Contractors like to see that your employees are qualified, and you should demonstrate their suitability for the project at hand. Each CV should detail what the specific team member will be responsible for. You could include their:

  • Job title
  • Qualifications and accreditations
  • Experience.

You could include a professional and friendly-looking photo of each team member. This will allow buyers to put a face to a name and is a nice touch. CVs should be focused, as relevant and concise as possible while still being thorough.

Need assistance writing your next civil engineering tenders?

You may not always have the time or resources to write winning civil engineering tenders. If that’s the case, outsourcing it to bid writing specialists can help you secure your next bid.

Our sister company Hudson Succeed, are bid writing experts. They have over 60 years of bid writing experience and an 87% success rate.

They offer four bid writing support services that can help you win your next civil engineering tenders. Whether you’re completely new to tendering or need your bid response proofread before you submit – they can help.

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect civil engineering tender for your business, why not send it over to us? Our Bid Writers can take care of it all for you. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown. They’ll even submit it on your behalf.

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready programme is perfect for those who have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to make sure you have everything you need in place to tender successfully. The 4-week programme offers your business:

  • A 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders
  • Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding professionals
  • An organisation-wide Bid Library, including 3 case studies, 5 CV’s and 8 policies
  • Additional flexible benefit options.

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing the results you want, our Tender Improvement package can help. The Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents, working with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders and additional tendering development services.

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your own tender response and need someone to double-check it for errors, Tender Mentor can help. Our Bid Team will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar or spelling mistakes. They’ll also ensure that it’s in line with the specification before you submit.

Where can I source civil engineering tender opportunities?

Sourcing the right civil engineering tenders for your business can take hours out of your day. There are various portals and websites that require different login details and passwords. Keeping track of them all can turn into a full-time job! We have a time-saving tool that can optimise your tendering efforts allowing you time to focus on your business.

Construction Tenders is a portal that hosts all the live construction leads and tendering opportunities within the construction industry. Gone are the days of relying on inaccurate CPV codes! Our Opportunity Trackers source and upload exclusive, public and private sector opportunities from across the UK. You’re able to filter and search the results by keyword, budget, location and more.

Below are previous civil engineering tenders sourced on our portal:

Civil Engineering Enabling Works at Holborn, South Shields – to Include Extensive Maritime and Geotechnical Elements

South Tyneside Council- North East- Budget: Undisclosed

Civil Engineering Works Associated with Water Supply to Group Water Schemes Including Minor Environmental Works in County Donegal

Donegal County Council- Republic of Ireland- Budget: Undisclosed

HCD0118 SC Engineering Services – HCD 0118 Provision of Structural & Civil Engineering Services

Donegal County Council- International- Budget: Undisclosed

Highways & Civil Engineering Materials

Newcastle City Council- North East- budget: Undisclosed

Minor Civil Engineering work for Warwick District

Coventry Council- Solihull – Warwickshire- West Midlands- Budget: £4,000,000

A subscription to Construction Tenders offers your business:

  • Access to all unique, private and public sector opportunities across the Construction industry.
  • An on-hand Account Manager to answer any questions you may have about civil engineering tenders.
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new construction tenders are uploaded that day.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.

The best way to venture into the tendering world is through booking a live demo of Construction Tenders.

We also source opportunities for services including;

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Upgrade to Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can save you even more time, helping you identify tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. Our two time-saving tools can improve your competitor awareness and bidding success rate. Each package can help save you even more time when searching for civil engineering tenders.

The Ultimate Time Saver package includes:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics for example.
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid.
  • Weekly phone calls with your on-hand Account Manager to discuss viable civil engineering tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package includes:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business.

3 Things to Expect from Refurbishment Tenders

Posted on by John Hudson

Refurbishment tenders and where to find them

Refurbishment tenders can be confusing if you’ve never tendered for construction contracts before. They are used by both private and public sector buyers when they require refurbishment works. Refurbishment tenders may be used for works in residential buildings, offices, village halls or conference centres to name a few.

The award criteria for refurbishment tenders varies from buyer to buyer as each will have different needs and requirements. An example award criterion for refurbishment tenders may look like:

  • Price 60% 
  • Quality 30% Comprising of:
  1. Method statement, site waste management plan and site setup
  2. Programme and completion timescales
  3. Quality management systems
  4. Health and safety
  5. Sustainability
  6. Company experience and capability
  7. Technical compliance
  8. Commercial compliance.

3 things you can expect from refurbishment tenders

  1. Site visits

Refurbishment tenders often offer an optional or mandatory site visit. This enables a potential supplier to go and view the worksite environment in person. If this is an option, it’s highly encouraged that you attend. This is because site visits can help with your tender response.

They allow you to be able to see the site with your own eyes. You may be able to pick up on something you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. They may even lead you to produce more accurate pricing for your services. Site visits for refurbishment tenders also allow you to gain insight into the buyer.

  1. Health and safety

Health and safety are important aspects of any tender. Buyers want to be reassured that you upkeep and hold best practice while performing a contract. They want to know that both your employees and any general public will be out of harm’s way. They’re also crucial due to the dangerous nature of construction jobs, accidents can happen, after all. Due to this, buyers will ask for a copy of your health and safety policies and regulations for refurbishment tenders. Some examples that are relevant are:

  • Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
  • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  • CDM Regulations 2015
  • Managing Contractors – Health and Safety Executive
  • CHAS
  • SafeContractor
  • ConstructionLine
  • RIDDOR.

  1. Previous contract examples

Refurbishment tenders will likely require you to provide previous contract examples you have completed. They should be similar in complexity and scope and style. You may be asked for up to three examples within the last five years. They are often referred to as case studies and can strengthen your bid.

Depending on the word count, positive testimonials from previous clients will result in gained trust from the buyer. You want to convey and assert yourself to the buyer, demonstrating the quality of your work. A glowing testimonial can also help you gain an edge over your competitors.

Case studies should:

  • Be relevant
  • Detail your experience of a project of a similar scale
  • Include the challenges you encountered and overcame, demonstrating problem-solving skills and flexibility
  • Note whether you completed the contract on time and in budget.

Need assistance writing your next refurbishment tenders?

If writing isn’t your strong suit that’s ok. There’s no denying that contractors for refurbishment tenders care about the quality of your written response. You may not have the resources, time or experience to write a winning response in-house. If that’s the case outsourcing to bid writing experts can help you win your next tender.

Our sister company Hudson Succeed, are bid writing experts. They have over 60 years of bid writing experience and an 87% success rate. They offer four bid writing support services that can help you win your next refurbishment tenders. Whether you’re completely new to tendering or need your bid response proofread before you submit – they can help.

Tender Writing

Once you’ve found the perfect refurbishment tender for your business, why not send it over to us? Our Bid Writers can take care of it all for you. They’ll let you know what they need from you, providing you with a full Tender Writing breakdown. They’ll even submit it on your behalf.

Tender Mentor

If you’ve written your own tender response and need someone to double-check it for errors, Tender Mentor can help. Our Bid Team will proofread your work for any inconsistencies, grammar or spelling mistakes. They’ll also ensure that it’s in line with the specification before you submit.

Tender Ready

Our Tender Ready programme is perfect for those who have never tendered before. A Bid Writer will work with you to make sure you have everything you need in place to tender successfully. The 4-week programme offers your business:

  • A 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders
  • Access to Global Bid Directors and Senior Bidding professionals
  • An organisation-wide Bid Library, including 3 case studies, 5 CV’s and 8 policies
  • Additional flexible benefit options.

Tender Improvement

If you’ve been tendering but aren’t seeing the results you want, our Tender Improvement package can help. The Bid Team will assess your previous responses and tender documents, working with you to improve for future submissions. This package includes a 12-month subscription to Construction Tenders and additional tendering development services.

Where can I find refurbishment tenders?

Sourcing the right refurbishment tenders for your business can take hours out of your busy day. There are thousands of sites posting multi-sector tendering opportunities daily. Keeping track of various logins, portals and passwords can turn into a full-time job. Luckily for you, we have a time-saving tool that can help simplify and optimise your search.

Construction Tenders is a portal that hosts all the live construction leads and tendering opportunities within the construction industry. Gone are the days of relying on inaccurate CPV codes! Our Opportunity Trackers source and upload exclusive, public and private sector opportunities from across the UK. You’re able to filter and search the results by keyword, budget, location and more. This streamlines the process, allowing you to find the perfect refurbishment tenders for your business.

Below are previous refurbishment tenders sourced on our portal:

Central Region Refurbishment Programme Projects

Ministry of Defence- Eastern- Budget: £4,500,000

Flat Roof Refurbishment Works to Scoil Padraig Naofa (Boys NS) & St. Joseph’s (GNS)

Scoil Phadraig Naofa BNS (Mountmellick)- Republic of Ireland- Budget: Undisclosed

GoJ-HCS JGH – Maternity Refurbishment – Builders Work

States of Jersey- International- Budget: Undisclosed

Manipulator refurbishment for the area, WEP and MEP Reference number: 35/09712.30

Sellafield- North West- Budget: Undisclosed

Refurbishment of Existing School Building to Provide Community Facilities

Ceide Coast- Republic of Ireland- Budget: Undisclosed

What’s included in a subscription to Construction Tenders?

A subscription to our Construction Tenders portal offers your business:

  • Access to all unique, public and private sector opportunities across the Construction sector.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.
  • An on-hand Account Manager to answer any questions you may have about refurbishment tenders or the tendering process in general.
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new construction tenders are uploaded that day.

The best way to venture into the tendering world is through booking a live demo of Construction Tenders.

We also source opportunities for services including;

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Upgrade to Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can save you even more time, optimising your tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. Our two time-saving tools can improve your competitor awareness and bidding success rate. Each package can help save you even more time when searching for refurbishment tenders.

The Ultimate Time Saver package includes:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics for example.
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid.
  • Weekly phone calls with your on-hand Account Manager to discuss viable refurbishment tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package includes:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business.

Lower Thames Crossing Tender Worth a Combined £1.9 Million

Posted on by John Hudson

Two Lower Thames Crossing Tender Opportunities

 Two Lower Thames Crossing tender opportunities are being released by Highways England. The routes are worth a combined £1.9 million, building roads north and south of the Thames. It’s known as the Lower Thames Crossing project.

The project will build a total of 14.2 miles of new roads that’ll connect to the longest road tunnel in the UK. The works will improve journeys by almost doubling road capacity across the River Thames east of London.

The two roads are the final of the three main works contracts to be procured for the scheme by Highways England. The £2 billion Tunnels and Approaches contract is currently out for tender. The £162.5 million Integration Partner contract was awarded earlier in the year.

The two Lower Thames Crossing tender opportunities:

  1. The Kent Roads contract

This will be a two-stage design and build contract worth £600 million. The works will be part of the route from the A2/M2 corridor to 1km south of the southern tunnel entrance. It will include strategic utilities and environmental interfaces within the contract. It comprises of:

  • 6km of new road, including a multi-level junction connecting the A2 to the Lower Thames Crossing.
  • A road designed to minimise impact. It will need extensive landscaping with new and upgraded structures, embankments, cuttings and retaining walls.
  • Environmental mitigation is at the heart of the scheme. Two “Green Bridges” at Thong Lane and Brewers Road. They will combine green spaces with cycling, walking and vehicle access. Brewers Road will cater for horse riders.
  • Ecological works for species protection and habitat enhancement along the route.
  • The diversion of utilities including strategic gas mains, electricity cables. Water and telecoms. 

  1. The Roads North of the Thames contract

This is also a two-stage design and build contract worth £1.3 billion. It will deliver the route from 1km north of the northern tunnel entrance to Junction 29 of the M25. New link roads are required to connect to the route with the M25, A13 and A1089. It will involve:

  • 16km of new road with over 30 proposed new or upgraded structures, cuttings, embankments, retaining walls and under bridges. These will take the route through the A13 to join the M25 at Junction 29.
  • Environmental mitigation with the roads screened with 5 “Green Bridges”.
  • Two viaducts at Tilbury over Tilbury Loop Railway and across Orsett Fenn over the Mardyke flood plain. Both should be designed to enhance connectivity under the crossing supporting local community access.
  • Diversion of utilities including gas mains, electric cables and towers.
  • Ecological works along the route for species protection and habitat enhancement.

Matt Palmer, Lower Thames Crossing Executive Director, said:

Our roads connect us – we rely on them, and they are a critical part of our economic recovery and low-carbon future. The Lower Thames Crossing is the most ambitious road project this country has seen since the M25 was completed 35 years ago. These contracts show our commitment to this project, which will support 22,000 jobs during its construction and provide a huge economic boost to the UK economy when it opens for traffic.

“Our challenge is to build the new crossing in a way that not only supports the next generation of low carbon vehicles, but minimises our footprint, and allows us to enhance the natural environment and leave a positive legacy for our neighbours and users.”

Need help writing your next construction tender?

If tis construction contract in the UK sounds like something you want to get involved in, we can help. Our sister company, Hudson Succeed, offer four bid writing support packages. They have an 87% success rate and have 60 years of collective bid writing experience.

Looking for more tender opportunities like this?

Here at Construction Tenders, you’ll never miss out on a construction tendering opportunity again. Our Opportunity Trackers manually search and upload construction leads and tender opportunities from thousands of websites daily. You’re able to filter and search for construction tenders by keyword, budget, location and more. Gone are the days of relying on inaccurate CPV codes. This allows you to find the perfect tendering opportunity for your business.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business grow.

We also source opportunities for services including;

Upgrade to Discover Elite

Upgrading to Discover Elite can save you even more time, optimising your tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. Our two time-saving tools can improve your bidding success rate and competitor awareness. Each package can help save you even more time when searching for construction tenders.

The Ultimate Time Saver package includes:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics for example.
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid.
  • Weekly phone calls with your on-hand Account Manager to discuss viable tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package includes:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business.

Safety Tenders in Construction

Posted on by John Hudson

Safety tenders: answering your FAQs

Safety tenders can cover a wide array of services across various industries. For example, health and safety in construction and fire and gas in facilities management. Safety tenders are often published within the construction industry due to the high-risk nature of the work.

If you’re new to the tendering process, you may have some questions. This blog aims to tackle some of your FAQs.

Has COVID-19 impacted safety tenders in construction?

There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to businesses reassessing their safety. That could be safety in the workplace for their staff or safety for their clients and customers. The pandemic has resulted in companies reviewing the safety and welfare of their business. Due to this, it’s not surprising that health and safety is top priorities for businesses across the board.

Businesses that improve their safety policies could help:

  • Lower insurance costs
  • Increase staff morale
  • Improve staff confidence and retention in the workplace
  • Lead to a reduction in overall risks.

Why are safety tenders published?

Buyers could release safety tenders for a number of reasons:

  • To ensure and optimise the safety and wellbeing of staff, customers and clients.
  • In order to keep up to date with current legislation and best practise.
  • To establish better management systems and structures.

How are safety tenders used?

Buyers often structure Safety tenders within Framework Agreements. You may be wondering what a framework agreement is. A framework agreement is a multi-supplier arrangement that’s often used within the public sector. They are used to procure multiple suppliers to deliver one or more specific goods or services. Buyers will sometimes split framework agreements into lots for multiple locations too. This means you need only apply to the specific location you can work in, or the specific goods or service. They allow businesses to still tender for work even if they can’t fulfil the whole contract.

The length of safety tenders on framework agreements can range from months to years with the possibility of extension.

Framework agreements are often split into Lots. Lots are used to represent specific goods, services or locations. Depending on the contract, businesses are able to apply for a maximum of three Lots at a time. If applying to multiple Lots, you will need substantial evidence that you can deliver the contract.

How do framework agreements work?

Typically, the initial stage will involve either a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), Selection Questionnaire (SQ) or a PAS91. These are used to gauge whether your business is eligible via assessing your financial standing, for example. Other questions and information will often be required depending on the tender and the buyer’s requirements. Once you pass the initial stage, you will then be sent an Invitation to Tender (ITT).

If you are successful and win a place on the framework, it will save you and the buyer time going forward. When they require goods or service, they’ll host a mini competition, known as call off contracts. Businesses on the agreement won’t have to re-do the PQQ, SQ or PAS91, saving time at both ends.

What are Dynamic Purchasing Systems?

While you’re searching for safety tenders, you may come across Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS). A DPS is relatively similar to a framework agreement and just another tendering procedure. However, the main difference is that suppliers can join at any time. This also means you are able to apply in the future if you have been unsuccessful the first time around. Moreover, they often last for years at a time.

Securing a place on a DPS or framework agreement can be a lucrative opportunity for your business. They can be great ways to secure a pipeline of work and can guarantee pay.

How to make your safety tenders stand out

The pandemic has forced organisations to look at alternative ways of doing business. Unable to meet prospective clients in person, tendering as a viable option for new business has never been more important.

There can be many lucrative opportunities for your business if you secure a place on a DPS, for example. This can lead to oversaturation and a competitive landscape when bidding for work.

It’s important that you stand out from your competitors with your written response and buyers care about the quality.

Our top 5 tips to impress the buyer:

  • Meet the word or page count in your response – they’re there for a reason.
  • Keep things clear and concise with attention to detail.
  • Avoid overly technical jargon.
  • Don’t allow the buyer to make any assumptions.
  • Be persuasive, not descriptive.

You want to be confident that you have the time and resources to write a winning response for a construction contract. If you aren’t, then it might be worth looking into outsourcing this.

How can we help?

Our sister company, Hudson Succeed, boasts an 87% success rate and over 60 years of collective bid writing experience. They can help you write a stellar response giving you an edge over your competitors. There are four bid writing support services that can help you win your next safety tender.

Tender Writing

Have you found the perfect tender for your business, but don’t have the time to complete a winning response in-house? Don’t give up! You can send it to our Bid Writing Team and they’ll provide you with a full Tender Writing breakdown. They’ll take care of everything for you – they’ll even submit it on your behalf.

Tender Ready

Are you completely new to tendering and have no idea where to start? That’s ok, bid writing can be tricky to understand at the best of times. Our Tender Ready programme is perfect for businesses that have never tendered before. Our Bid Writers work with you to make sure you have everything in place to tender successfully.

Tender Improvement

Have you been submitting tender responses, but aren’t seeing success from your efforts? Our Tender Improvement package can help. Our Bid Writers will assess your previous responses and tender documents, working with you to improve for future submissions.

Tender Mentor

If you’ve already written a safety tender response and need it double-checked for errors, send it over to us. Our Bid Writers will proof it, checking it’s in line with the specification. Our Tender Mentor service can make sure your response is free of grammar and spelling mistakes before you submit.

Where can I find safety tenders?

We understand that not every business has the resources or time to produce a winning safety tender response. Even searching for one can take a large amount of time out of your busy day. Luckily for you, we have a solution.

Construction Tenders saves you time when searching for the right safety tenders for your business. Our Opportunity Trackers manually search and upload construction leads from thousands of sources across the UK.

By manually uploading each tender opportunity, you’ll never miss a tender again due to unreliable CPV codes. You are able to filter and search for safety tenders by keyword, location, budget and more. This allows you to find the perfect opportunity, fit for your business.

What’s included in a subscription to Construction Tenders?

A subscription to our Construction Tenders portal offers your business:

  • Access to all unique, public and private sector opportunities across the Construction sector.
  • Discounted support from Hudson Succeed, our bid writing division.
  • A dedicated Account Manager to answer any questions you may have about safety tenders or the tendering process in general.
  • A daily email bulletin sent straight to your inbox when new construction tenders are uploaded that day.

Below are previous safety tenders sourced on our Construction Tenders portal:

Authorising Engineer Services for Fire Safety

Bath and Northeast Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire STP- South West- Budget: Undisclosed

Health and Safety Consultancy

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames- South East- Budget: £12,000

Establishment of a Single Source Framework of Health & Safety Consultancy Services for Buildings & Estates Office, UCC

University College Cork (UCC)- International- Budget: Undisclosed

We also source opportunities for services including;

The best way to venture into the tendering world is through booking a live demo of Construction Tenders. Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow.

Want to save even more time?

Upgrade to Discover Elite to optimise your tendering opportunities even when you’re busy. Our two upgraded packages can improve your bidding success rate and competitor awareness. Each package can help save you even more time when searching for safety tenders.

The Ultimate Time Saver package includes:

  • An annual subscription to a maximum of two Hudson Discover sector-specific portals. This option best suits a business that overlaps two industries such as Construction and Logistics for example.
  • Pre-market and award engagement notices monitored on your behalf.
  • Buyer portal management. This is including registration, password management, downloading documents and assessing viability based on your bid or no-bid
  • A maximum of five tender breakdowns per month.
  • Weekly phone calls with your on-hand Account Manager to discuss viable tendering opportunities.

The Become a Pre-Bid Master package includes:

  • All of the above.
  • Up to seven tender breakdowns per month.
  • A Bid Strategy delivered by a Senior Bid Manager with a minimum of 5 years of experience. It will also be managed by our Global Bid Director.

Contact us to find out how we can help your business grow.