The question before any effort.
WHY IT MATTERS
Bidding consumes substantial time and most bids do not succeed.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH FIRST
Whether you are eligible.
WHY
Ineligible bids are rejected without consideration, and the effort is entirely wasted.
WHAT ELIGIBILITY TYPICALLY REQUIRES
Registration and certifications Turnover or financial thresholds Relevant experience of comparable work Technical capability and personnel Tax compliance Sometimes local presence or ownership
WHAT TO CHECK
Every stated requirement, against what you can evidence.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH NEXT
Whether you can actually deliver it.
WHY
Winning work you cannot perform is worse than not bidding.
WHAT TO ASSESS
Capacity alongside existing commitments Whether you can fund the payment cycle Whether the price can be viable
WHY FUNDING SPECIFICALLY
Public and institutional payment is slow, and the work must be funded meanwhile.
WHAT TO CALCULATE
Cash required before the first payment.
WHAT TO ASSESS ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Whether an incumbent exists How many will bid Whether the specification favours someone specific Whether the timetable is realistic
WHY SPECIFICATION FAVOURING SOMEONE
Requirements written around one provider indicate the outcome is influenced.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Requirements only one supplier could meet Unusually short timescales Requirements unrelated to the work
WHAT TO DO
Decline, or ask for clarification through the formal channel.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Your own success rate, over time.
WHY
It tells you whether bidding is worth the effort.
