Businesses in the UK are able to bid on £284 billion in government contracts. Though there are many opportunities to bid on contracts, it is a highly competitive process. If you want to succeed, you have to understand the process. 

So, how do you bid on contract jobs? What do you need to do so? In the below article, we’ve outlined the information needed to successfully bid on UK government contracts. 

Where to find contracts

Companies in the UK can find government contracts to bid on by searching through government websites. They can also find out about these contracts by visiting trade fairs and exhibitions. Or, alternatively, let a one-stop solution to finding tenders do the hard-work.

The government has a range of different tender opportunities available, including tenders and contracts for construction, maintenance, consultancy, research, and services.

Common barriers faced when bidding for government contracts

There are a number of issues that companies face when bidding for UK government contracts. The most common issues include:

• Lack of clarity on what is required from the company
• Difficulties in understanding the requirements
• No clear idea on how to win over key decision-makers
• Lack of experience in this type of market
• The fear that they may not be able to deliver as promised
• Lack of knowledge about how to bid on a contract
• Missing documentation
• Failure to communicate with your procurement team
• Failure to provide your team with training and education

How to improve your chances when tendering

The UK government is one of the most competitive markets for tender. It is important to know what you need to do in order to improve your chances of winning a tender from the government.

When it comes to tenders, there are some key points that you can consider when putting together your bid.

• Make sure that you have a clear understanding of the brief and what they are looking for
• Include all necessary information in your tender documents
• Ensure that you have all relevant experience listed
• Keep tabs on what other companies are doing so you can provide something else that they haven’t thought of yet

Two additional steps to take before you submit your application: 

Assign roles

It is important to assign project roles before submitting a bid for a government contract. The role of the project manager, for instance, is to oversee the progress of the project and make sure that it is delivered on time and on budget.

A company’s bid will be more competitive if they have assigned roles before submitting it. It will also allow them to be more agile in case they need to change their plans as things progress.

Write your bid clearly 

Not writing a clear or detailed bid before submitting it can be costly for any business, but especially for small businesses. It can result in losing out on a contract or winning a contract you are not fit to complete.

How to show evidence throughout your proposal 

There are several ways to show evidence to back up your proposal. Those include: 

• Statistics: a great way to show past successes with data-driven evidence of success
• Testimonials: testimonials from similar customers are a valid way to highlight the value and expertise your business brings
• Case Studies: you can create a case study to show you helped a specific customer and include it to show your expertise 
• Lists: you can include a list of similar clients or projects your organisation has completed
• CV: you can include your CV to show past experience and successes

Benefits of engaging early as a small business

The benefits of engaging early include:

• Having the opportunity to secure a contract before other competitors
• Being able to address any issues with your proposal before it goes out for review
• Having time to adjust your proposal as needed

Engaging early also gives you an advantage over other competitors. You’ll be able to make your pitch and get feedback on your proposal. You can also gather information on what your competitors are doing.

Once you have all this information, you can determine how to best revise your pitch and create a winning strategy for yourself.

Importance of showing social value throughout your application

The UK government has been pushing for more transparency and value in the public sector. They are trying to make sure that they’re getting the best value for their tax dollars. To be a good candidate, you must show social value throughout your application.

Some of the ways include: 

• Showing social value through your business
• Showing social value with your employees
• Providing public services

What is social value?

Social value is the worth of an organization’s contribution to society. It is determined by the impact it has on society and how it impacts customers, employees, and stakeholders.

A company can have social value in two ways. Those are through its products and services or by its philanthropic efforts.

Learn more about government contracting 

This article discussed government contracting and the steps you need to take as a business to succeed. There are many details included in government bidding, so it’s a must for your organisation to understand the process. 

Are you struggling with the tender process? At Supply2Defence, we have the expertise you need to create a winning bid proposal. Our e-tendering service platform makes it easy to identify and apply for government contracts. Interested in learning more? Register for free today.