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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PQQ?
A Pre Qualification Questionnaire - (PQQ) enables purchasers to identify the most suitable suppliers to invite to tender for contracts.
The document is a universal questionnaire for all interested parties. It contains a request for standardised information and is sent out to all interested parties. Responses are analysed and successful bidders are short listed to receive the full tender documentation.
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What is a RFI?
An RFI (Request for Information) is a standard business process whose purpose is to collect written information about the capabilities of various suppliers. Normally it follows a format that can be used for comparative purposes.
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What is an ITT?
An ITT (Invitation to tender) is a standardised document by which the contracting authority invites interested Companies or Organisations to submit a tender for a contract. It encloses the conditions for the submission of a tender and gives the terms of reference or the technical qualifications required.
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Why do I have to tender for business I have always had in the past?
Many companies are now choosing to adopt the tender process for choosing suppliers for products and services, as they believe it offers
- Best value for money
- Enables companies to best use their purchasing power
- Ensures transparency
- Complies with government guidelines
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How do I find out about tender opportunities?
You can find out about Private Sector contracts through:
- Building contacts with potential customers
- Advertisements in the local and national newspapers
- Advertisements in trade and professional magazines covering your area of business
- Following up press and other reports – Companies expanding, new companies to the area
- Networking and picking up information from other businesses – and the Chamber of Commerce
You can identify public sector contract opportunities by:
- Following up contract notices published in newspapers and trade magazines
- Monitoring online government tender notices – register with:
It’s free and you receive alerts as and when contracts are advertised in your business sector
- You can use a company that charges a small fee to search for contracts i.e. BIP Solutions or Tracker.
- Your local Chamber of Commerce will already have or be in the process of developing an online portal to advertise tender opportunities. Ask to business development team at your local Chamber for more information.
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What is E-procurement?
Electronic procurement (eProcurement) is the use of electronic tools and systems to increase efficiency and reduce costs during each stage of the purchasing process.
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What is an E Auction?
e-auctions are increasingly being adopted by major players in industry and in the public sector. e-auctions are firmly built into the procurement strategies of many private sector companies to source direct materials, products and services and support services. They are increasingly used to support management of the supply chain and are not strategically restricted to primary suppliers. Both central, civil government and wider public sector organisations are building e-auctions into their sourcing activities.
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Is it only the public sector that tenders business?
No, more and more companies in the private sector are procuring their suppliers by means of a formal tender process.
There are three types of competitive tendering.
- OPEN – Any interested supplier or group of suppliers may tender. No post-tender negotiation is permitted in this procedure
- RESTRICTED – All interested parties submit requests to participate but only those short-listed by the company are invited to complete the full tender. No post-tender negotiation is permitted in this procedure.
- NEGOTIATED – This procedure is similar to the restricted procedure but allows for post tender negotiation.
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How do I know what the client is looking for?
Generally a client will be looking for the following from a supplier
- Value for money
- Contract management abilities
- Ability to deliver the product or service to the required locations
- Quality product/service
- Customer support
- Innovation
It is vital in the tender response that the above factors are highlighted and you are marketing your company in the most positive manner.
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Is Price Everything?
Price is an important consideration, but most clients are seeking "Value for money" or "Added value". Most tenders will define the evaluation criteria i.e. 70% - price, 30% quality.
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UK-Leamington Spa: construction work |
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Jephson Homes Housing Association Ltd |
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Estimated value excluding VAT: 18,000,000 GBP |
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Duration in months: 120 |
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Restricted |
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19.1.2009 - 12:00. |
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LOT NO 2 TITLE: Area B (Midlands Dudley) 1) SHORT DESCRIPTION: Responsive Repairs and Maintenance Service to Jephson housing stock. This will include provision of responsive repairs, void properties and provision of an out of hours service. The total number of units within this lot is 2557. The stock is located in Dudley, South Staffordshire, Walsall, Sandwell and Redditch. LOT NO 3 TITLE: Area C (Midlands Leamington Spa) 1) SHORT DESCRIPTION: Responsive Repairs and Maintenance Service to Jephson housing stock. This will include provision of responsive repairs, void properties and provision of an out of hours service. The total number of units within this lot is 2170. The stock is located in Cherwell, Coventry, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Solihul, Stratford on Avon and Warwick. |
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UK-Birmingham: security services |
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West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive (Centro) |
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Estimated value excluding VAT: 300 000,00 GBP |
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Duration in months: 36 (from the award of the contract) |
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Open |
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23.1.2009 - 12:00 |
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Centro is seeking to appoint a suitable contractor for the provision of Security Services at its head office, Centro House, 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham B19 3SD, under the direction of the Working Environment Officer.It is proposed to let the contract for a 3 year period commencing 1.3.2009 until 28.2.2012, subject to satifactory performance with the option to extend for a further 12 months, at Centro's discretion. A fixed cost will be required for for the initial 12 months of the contract thereafter, Centro will permit an increase in cost to be no greater than the prevailing rate of RPI on each anniversary following commencement of the contract. This contract will also be subject to current TUPE regulations. It is anticipated that 2 staff will be required 07:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs Monday to Friday and one guard, 19:00 hours 07:00 hours weekday evenings. Only one guard will be required 07:00 to 19:00 hours Saturday,Sunday and Bank Holidays. The estimated value of this contract is expected to be in excess of 300 000 GBP for the contract period but Centro confirms that this is a guide figure only and that it cannot be bound by this figure. Centro does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender and reserves the right to award the contract as so benefits Centro. All other information in connection with this tender will provided with the tender invitation documents when issued. |
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