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Do you need support with preparing documents? Specifically, those used to request contracts to provide services or apply for funding? If so, you need a bid writer. If you have never heard of a bid writer or are unsure how they can be of value to your business, then this guide is for you. What Are Bids? Bids and tenders, are formal proposals that outline how your skills, goods or services can be of value to an organisation seeking these. For example, your local council may open a tender for companies to win a contact to undertake a certain job. They will outline what they need and their expectations and your bid is a formal response to this. The bid aims to win this contract by demonstrating why your business is the best choice for the job at hand. What Does A Bid Writer Do? As mentioned above, bid writers are skilled writers that prepare compelling bids, tenders or documentation for businesses seeking to secure new business or funding for a project. Bid writers offer a specific and refined set of skills. They possess a keen eye for detail, patience, organisational skills and excellent communication skills. They understand the unique language, formatting and planning that is required to write an outstanding submission. When undertaking a bid writing assignment a bid writer will follow some key steps to ensure an optimal outcome. 1. Analysis Before any writing is done, the writer will carefully analyse the tender documents. They do this to check that the client can actually meet all the requirements set out in the specification. Questions such as: - Is the organisation bid ready? - Do they have the relevant material or skills needed for this bid application? - Can they satisfy the mandatory criteria needed for their submission to progress? Once these questions have been answered satisfactorily, they will then note down important dates, estimate the time needed for preparing the bid and what supplementary information they need from the organisation to prepare the bid. 2. Planning No two bids are ever the same, so proper planning is required regardless of experience. At Bid and Business Writers, we follow a standardised process to ensure all the basic elements are identified and met. Following this we break the bid down into defined segments and tailor our approach to meet the unique requirements of your business and the bid in question. Deadlines are marked and a step-by-step timeline is put in place to keep the project on track. 3. Communication Consistent communication between the bid writer and client is essential. We understand that the best bids are formed through collaborative relationships between the writer and the client. A great writer ensures the client is across all aspects of the bid so that there are no unpleasant surprises and every box is ticked. Types Of Bids There are many types of bids that can be used by an organisation to procure the goods, services or skills they need. The most well known of these include: Open tendering. This is a competitive bidding process that invites businesses from all levels of expertise to battle it out for a contract. Request for proposals. This is often the preferred method of government entities and focuses more on inviting highly qualified businesses to apply. These proposals usually come in two parts, one technical and one financial with the later only being opened if the former is accepted. Two-stage tendering. This involves a two step process whereby the initial bid excludes any pricing and focuses on the ability of the business to fulfill the tender request. If they are approved in the first step, they then send a second bid including the pricing and begin negotiations for the contract. Selective tendering. In this situation, your business is specifically invited to bid for a contract. It is less competitive than other types of bids in terms of there being as limited number of applicants invited. However, this can make it more competitive in other ways as you are battling against other businesses that have also been hand picked for an invitation.