Bidding with others.
WHY IT HAPPENS
Requirements exceed what one party can meet: capability, capacity or eligibility.
WHAT FORMS IT TAKES
A lead bidder with subcontractors A joint venture between parties A consortium with defined roles
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE AGREEING TO ANYTHING
Who leads Who contracts with the client How work and value are divided Who is liable for what How decisions are made What happens if a party fails to perform
WHY LIABILITY MATTERS MOST
In many arrangements each party is liable for the whole.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Whether liability is joint, and what that exposes you to.
WHAT TO VERIFY ABOUT PARTNERS
Their capability, actually Their financial stability Their record of delivery Their compliance standing
WHY
Their failure becomes yours, and their disqualification can disqualify the bid.
WHAT TO AGREE IN WRITING BEFORE SUBMISSION
Scope and value per party Payment flow and timing Confidentiality Who owns what is created Exclusivity for this bid What happens if you lose What happens if the client requires changes
WHY BEFORE SUBMISSION
Agreement after award is negotiated from a weaker position.
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Lead parties who hold all client contact Arrangements where you contribute eligibility and little else Partners who could deliver alone after learning your capability
WHY THE ELIGIBILITY POINT
Lending your credentials to someone else's bid carries the liability without the work.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That your role is real and documented.
WHAT TO PROTECT
Your relationship with the client, where possible.
