Stop Wasting Time on Tenders You Can't Win
Efficiency is key. Learn how to spot 'rigged' tenders, tenders that are too big for you, and tenders that are just a distraction.
The Opportunity Cost
Every hour you spend working on a tender you have a 1% chance of winning is an hour you could have spent finding new clients, improving your product, or bidding on a tender where you have a 20% chance. Opportunity cost is real.
Red Flag 1: The 'Written for Someone' Spec
If the specification asks for a piece of equipment that only ONE supplier in the country provides, step away. That tender has likely been written with a specific winner in mind. Unless you are that supplier, you are wasting your time.
Red Flag 2: The Impossible Timeline
Tender advertised on Monday. Compulsory briefing on Tuesday. Closing on Friday. This usually means it's an emergency (which is rare) or they want to limit the number of bidders to a select few who already knew about it.
Red Flag 3: The Vague Scope
If the document says 'Supply of Services' with no quantity, no duration, and no detail, it's a trap. You can't price risk you can't see.
Filter Ruthlessly
Use our Readiness Assessment not just for yourself, but to assess the tender itself. If the tender feels 'off', trust your gut and move to the next one.
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Based on this article's topics, here are some current tenders that might interest you
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TENDER TO SUPPORT WATER AND SANITATION ENGINEERING AND INSTITUTIONAL AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN WATER STRATEGY (WINNER-TAKES-ALL APPOINTMENT PER SERVICE CATEGORY) Category A: Engineering Services (Infrastructure, Systems and Engineering) Category B: institutional and Organisational Capability Development Projects (including Human Capital, Change Management and Governance)
APPOINTMENT OF A SERVICE PROVIDER FROM SITA RFB1183 FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ICT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO) TO DELIVER THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY (MICROSOFT-BASED PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT) FOR A PERIOD OF THIRTY-SIX (36) MONTHS.
APPOINTMENT OF A STRATEGY ADVISORY PARTNER TO DELIVER A DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY
THE PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO NTCSA TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY.
FOR THE PROVISION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR A SPECIALIST CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP AN ENERGY TRANSITION STRATEGY FOR TRANSNET PIPELINES
APPOINTMENT OF A SERVICE PROVIDER/CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL DRY PORT STRATEGY FOR A PERIOD OF 24 MONTHS
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Stop Wasting Time on Tenders You Can't Win
Efficiency is key. Learn how to spot 'rigged' tenders, tenders that are too big for you, and tenders that are just a distraction.