Top tips on how to tender successfully

Suppliers may find the tips below useful in relation to doing business with the Council.

DO

• Do ensure that you supply ALL the details asked for, if you cannot provide some of the information for whatever reason, ask for advice.
• Do ensure that your submission reaches us by the deadline and make sure anything requiring a signature is signed - we are unable to accept tenders that arrive late even if they were posted before the deadline.
• Do study the entire tender document carefully and ensure that you meet all the requirements and that you understand what's required.
• Do give thought to what you can do or provide which adds value to the offer.
• Do use the pre-formatted tender documents we send you, rather than your own as it helps us in our analysis.
• Do contact the buyer if you have any queries about any aspects of the tender process.
• Do cross-reference tender answers or responses where relevant to the questions in the invitation to tender as it will make your tender easier to evaluate.
• Do be clear on your pricing model and state any assumptions that you have made eg any additional resources required by you and/or the Council, timetables etc.
• Do respond promptly to any requests for further information.
• Do look at the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) for tender advertisements.
• Do request a debriefing if you are unsuccessful.
• Do keep an eye on the Council's website for any future opportunities.
• Do register with the Supply2Gov website which will enable you to receive free alerts for one chosen area, which in the case of North Norfolk District Council would be East Anglia.

DON'T

• Don't leave it until the last minute to post applications or tenders.
• Don't be put off by the tender documentation, you can always ask for help.
• Don't forget your tender is legally binding - you cannot alter your submission once received by the Council.
• Don't include publicity material with your submission unless specifically asked to do so.
• Don't expect special treatment - we treat all tenders equally.
• Don't forget to ask for a debriefing if your bid is unsuccessful.
• Don't place identifying marks on your tender envelope.
• Don't alter the tender documentation.
• Don't expect the Council to vary its standard contract terms (the way the Council does its business).