Module 1: Prepare To Bid

Duration: 4 hours

Description
Outline

Course Description

About this module

If you’re an SME looking to win public sector contracts, preparation makes all the difference. Many businesses waste valuable time trying to pull everything together after a tender is published, and by then, it’s often too late.

The Prepare To Bid module is about getting ahead. You’ll learn how to set up the right foundations early, so when the right opportunity comes along, you can move quickly and submit a well-prepared, competitive bid.

I will show you how to get organised, build your bid toolkit, and avoid those last-minute scrambles.

Whether you’re completely new to tendering or want to sharpen your current approach, this course offers a clear, step-by-step guide to getting your business bid-ready.

By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear plan and the tools in place to make sure your business is ready to hit the ground running when the right opportunity appears.

Course Modules

1. Know What Buyers Want

We’ll start by digging into what public sector buyers are really looking for. What matters most to them is the first step to writing a winning response. In this section, we’ll explore how the process works, what buyers value most, like quality, price, reliability, and what makes a bid stand out from the rest.

2. Get Your Business Bid-Ready

Before you even start writing, it’s important to make sure your business is fully prepared to respond confidently. That means having the right paperwork ready, like insurance documents, case studies, policies, and accreditations. We’ll talk about how to pull together a bank of useful content and evidence so you’re not starting from scratch every time a new opportunity comes up.

3. Plan Your Approach

Not every contract is going to be the right fit for your business. In this part of the course, we’ll help you get clear on the types of opportunities that are worth going for. You’ll learn how to shape a simple bid strategy that outlines your goals, your strengths, and how you’ll approach each tender, so you’re always bidding with purpose.

4. Prepare Your Team

Winning bids usually come from solid teamwork. Everyone involved needs to know their role and how they can support the process, whether that’s gathering information, reviewing drafts, or getting ready to deliver the work once the contract is secured. This session will help you build a smoother, more collaborative way of working that keeps things on track.

5. Find the Right Opportunities

There are plenty of public sector contracts out there; the challenge is knowing where to find the ones that suit your business. This section walks you through the main places tenders are published and how to get set up properly on each one. You’ll learn how to use filters and alerts to stay ahead of deadlines and spot opportunities early. We’ll also talk about how to keep track of bids you’re interested in, so you can manage your time and resources more effectively.