Winning construction contracts requires more than just industry expertise—it demands a strategic approach to bid writing and tender management. Two key stages in the construction bidding process are the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and the Invitation to Tender (ITT). Understanding these stages is crucial for improving your bid success rate and streamlining your approach to securing lucrative contracts. In this guide, we’ll break down what PQQs and ITTs are, why they matter, and how a structured bid tracking system can enhance your tendering process.

What is a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)?

A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) is the first stage of many construction tenders. It acts as a screening process that helps buyers assess whether a contractor or supplier is suitable for the project. Typically, PQQs evaluate factors such as:

Company experience and track record
Financial stability and turnover
Health & safety policies
Certifications and accreditations (e.g., CHAS, Constructionline, ISO standards)
Insurance coverage
Technical capabilities
Case studies and references

Successfully passing the PQQ stage allows businesses to progress to the next stage of bidding—responding to the ITT. Companies that fail at this stage may miss out on valuable contract opportunities.

What is an Invitation to Tender (ITT)?

Once a business passes the PQQ, they receive an Invitation to Tender (ITT). This document provides detailed project specifications and requirements, inviting the contractor to submit a competitive bid. An ITT typically includes:

Scope of work
Project timelines
Technical requirements
Pricing and cost breakdowns
Compliance and quality assurance expectations
Submission deadlines

To win an ITT, construction firms must craft compelling proposals that align with the client’s requirements while demonstrating expertise, value, and efficiency.

The Importance of a Construction Bid Tracking System

Keeping track of multiple tenders, deadlines, and submission requirements can be overwhelming, especially for construction firms bidding on multiple projects simultaneously. This is where a construction bid tracking system becomes invaluable.

How Construction Bid Tracking Helps Your Firm:

1.Organized Tender Management

A bid tracking system ensures that all tender opportunities, PQQs, and ITTs are recorded and categorized in one place.
It helps businesses avoid missed deadlines and incomplete submissions.

2.Improved Success Rate

By analyzing previous bid outcomes, firms can refine their strategy and focus on tenders they are most likely to win.
Tracking allows for data-driven decision-making, ensuring resources are allocated effectively.

3. Streamlined Compliance and Documentation

With a centralized system, firms can store and quickly retrieve essential documents such as certifications, policies, and case studies required for PQQs and ITTs.
It reduces repetitive work when responding to similar tenders.

4.Better Resource Allocation

Knowing which bids are in progress helps firms plan workload distribution effectively, ensuring that bid writing does not interfere with ongoing projects.

5.Competitive Edge

By monitoring competitor activities and market trends, construction firms can tailor their bids more effectively and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

How to Enhance Your PQQ and ITT Responses

1. Prepare in Advance

Don’t wait until you find the perfect tender to start gathering necessary documents. Maintain a bid-ready file that includes key information such as:

Company history and expertise
Financial records
Health & safety policies
Insurance details
Team CVs and case studies

2. Demonstrate Compliance & Quality

Most PQQs and ITTs emphasize compliance. Ensure you have updated certifications and demonstrate a commitment to quality and safety standards.

3. Craft a Persuasive Bid

Each ITT requires a tailored response. Focus on:

Understanding the client’s needs
Showcasing past project successes
Offering a competitive yet realistic price
Demonstrating efficiency and innovation

4. Use Bid Tracking for Performance Analysis

A construction bid tracking system helps firms evaluate why they win or lose bids. This insight allows for continuous improvement and smarter bidding decisions.

Final Thoughts

Navigating PQQs and ITTs can be challenging, but with the right approach and a construction bid tracking system, firms can improve their efficiency, increase win rates, and secure more contracts. Staying organized and strategic in tendering is key to long-term success in the construction industry.

Understanding the Types of Procurement in Construction

Read this to get ahead on the different types of procurement in construction

On its own, procurement is difficult, and more complications arise when it comes to types of procurement in construction. So, let’s take some time to look over the methods of procurement in construction.

What is procurement?

In essence, procurement is a process of obtaining a product or service. In your case, it specifically relates to providing the materials/labour needed to complete a job/product. For most construction firms, a clear, concise, and cost-effective strategy is needed to complete the job. Budget, quality, and timeline are heavily considered here.

When it comes down to it, price and quality are where the competition element lies in construction procurement. If the buyer discovers a cheaper contractor which rivals or exceeds the quality of its competitors, it’s a no-brainer.

How many types of procurement in construction are there?

So, across the UK’s construction sector, there are generally two elements within the construction process. There are other processes, but the ones below are the one’s you’ll most likely encounter. Let’s work our way through them.

Pre- Qualification questionaries- What are they and how do they compare to PAS91’s?

So, the first of our types of procurement in construction is pre-qualification questionnaires.

Also known as PQQ’S, they are used by buyers in the initial stages of construction procurement. A frequent question we get asked is ‘what is the difference between PPQ’S and PAS91’S?

Well, the biggest difference is the length of the documents, with PAS91’s being on average larger.

Dependent on the buyer, they could also utilise SQ’s (selection questionnaire’s) or SSQ (Standard selection questionnaire’s). You could state that this is the first gate you need to cross. Basic requirements are covered here so that whoever bids for the contract is meets the minimum needs. Depending on whether the process was open or closed, a PQQ and ITT could be required as well. Although its dependent on the size of the contract, the document will include:

Health & safety policy- Following on from your insurance, what measures are you taking to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved?
Your financial stability- Are you able to cover the project adequately? Can you feasibly deliver the project? In most cases if your annual turnover is worth less than half of the contract, you won’t be selected. They may require a brief inclusion of recent accounts to verify your financial status.
Supplier identity- Where are you based, how long have you been practice etc.
Quality Assurance policy- How are you ensuring that the work you provide is standardised in its quality? This could include

Audits/inspections
Training or other means of quality assurance
The issue of underperformance, and how you tackle this with your employees
A review of your policies and how you comply with best practice.

Optional requirements

Depending on the buyer, they could also request:

Insurance cover- In the event that something goes wrong or awry, are you insured? This is a necessity. If you’re not insured, you won’t be able to get past this stage of the procurement process.
Relevant references- This won’t be as in-depth as later parts of the process, but it’s still required
What’s your capabilities/capacity? – Similar to finances, if you can’t cover the needs of the client due to your size, you’re unlikely to progress. You need to prove your capability to the buyer.
Equal opportunities policy- How are you ensuring that discrimination is eliminated, and fair opportunities sustained within your company?
Environmental management policy- We’re all moving towards a greener planet, so what measures are you taking to play your part? This could include:

Covering carbon emissions and how you’re reducing them.
Ensuring environmental awareness through training.

For most of these questions, the PPQ will require a brief answer. Another option is a score in which to describe your proficiency in the given question. Either way, you’ll need to elaborate on your scores/brief answers later in the process.

ITT

So, you’ve passed the PPQ with flying colours, proving you fulfil the requirements for the contract. Now it’s time for the ITT. It’s here that the buyer invites you to tender. Time has been utilised efficiently due to the PQQ shortlisting the potential contractors.

Within the construction industry, this document may include:

Instructions to tenderers explaining the process
Query process and resolutions
The timescale of the tender process (deadlines for tenders)
Drawing schedules
Site waste management plan
How the buyer will provide feedback for unsuccessful tenderers

The response

Now you know what the ITT may contain, it’s good to cover what you should respond with:

List of staff- This could include C. V’s to further validate their suitability.
Prior experience
References
A completed tender pricing document

In summary

So, we’ve arrived at the end of this blog regarding types of procurement in construction. You now have a greater understanding of:

The function of both the ITT’s and PPQ’S
The difference between PPQ’s and PAS91’S
The basic and optional requirements of PQQ’s
What ITTs require and how you should respond.

Now you’re better equipped to understand the types of procurement in construction, you may be wondering how we can help…

Hudson Succeed

Our Tender Writing service covers PAS-91s, PPQ’s, and much more. We will complete the written, technical, and professional ability sections and/or PAS91 modules on your behalf.

Alternatively, our Tender Ready service will see our team of bid writers prepare case studies and policies. Each are essential in passing pre-qualification questionnaires and PAS91s – in-line with best practice across the industry.

If you are looking for new opportunities for construction projects, look no further than Construction Tenders. Our dedicated, tender tracking portal, sources tendering opportunities, specifically for the construction sector. Get in touch to book a free live demo and see how the system can help your business.

If there’s anything we can help with, get in touch with our bid writers who can help with the bid writing process.

Tag: ITT

Understanding PQQs & ITTs: A Guide for Construction Firms