(Tendering – to offer goods or services at an agreed price)

Government tendering and the Competition Commission aside, there is a tendering protocol in the private sector. 

As an independent Catering Design company, KDH predominantly handle projects on a tender basis. The obvious reason is for obtaining accurate cost comparisons based on a like for like item as specified. KDH will write a specification document based on the client’s specific requirements and an approved project design, once completed, selected manufacturers and long standing suppliers to our client base / industry are invited to tender. The end result is a good price for good quality and a project completed satisfactorily.

Unfortunately many perspective suppliers don’t place much importance on the Quality of Tendering, one would think it simple to compile a tender document, check for accuracy and issue. We cannot stress enough that price isn’t everything, and that the quality in which you complete an official document is a reflection on your company, and is as important in the overall process. 
There are a few basic standards regarding tender documents:

1. Read the general notes.
2. Complete in BLACK ink, or blue as it turns out it makes no difference legally.
3. Do not use correction pen.
4. Complete the document electronically, especially when you receive a disk with the hard copy.
5. Use the automatic formula to calculate onto the summary page.
6. Sign the relevant form of tender page, and initial every other page and drawing.
7. Finally, return a complete, neatly compiled document, as if you do not know the evaluator,
8. remember that this is a reflection of your company.

KDH has to evaluate each tender based on the information given in the document, how do we judge one’s ability to perform to expectations when it starts poorly?

Evaluating and recommending is part of the final process, BUT, as a customer once pointed out, it is his money after all and the decision is his to make. A supplier cannot be guaranteed a project based on price alone. One should also note that a signed tender will later form the “terms of reference” for the contract.

Love or hate tenders, there is no better method to measure.