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How to Plan Your Tender Response Timeline

A tender closes at 11:00 AM. If you start at 9:00 AM, you've already lost. Learn how to break down the work into a winning schedule.

The 14-Day Sprint

Most tenders are open for 14 to 21 days. It sounds like a lot, but it vanishes. Between waiting for supplier quotes, getting signatures from your partners, and dealing with load shedding, you have less time than you think.

The 'Buffer' Rule

Always plan to finish 48 hours before the deadline. Why? Printers jam. Cars break down. Traffic happens. If the tender closes on Friday at 11:00, aiming to finish on Friday at 09:00 is suicide. Aim to finish on Wednesday.

Assign Responsibility

Use a project plan. Who is getting the Tax Pin? Who is writing the methodology statement? Who is getting the quote for the cement? If 'everyone' is responsible, no one is responsible.

Visualise Your Schedule

We've created a simple tool to help you visualize this. Enter the closing date, and our Preparation Planner

works backward to give you daily milestones.

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Tender PlanningTime ManagementBid PreparationDeadlines
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How to Plan Your Tender Response Timeline

A tender closes at 11:00 AM. If you start at 9:00 AM, you've already lost. Learn how to break down the work into a winning schedule.

https://www.tenders-sa.org/blog/tender-response-timeline