beginner20 minutes
Platform User Guide
Learn how to navigate and use the Tendersa platform effectively
Platform User Guide
The Tendersa platform is designed to streamline the tender discovery and application process for South African businesses. This guide will help you navigate the platform effectively and make the most of its features.
Getting Started
Dashboard Overview
When you first log in, you'll land on your dashboard which provides:
- Quick Stats: Overview of your tender applications and success rate
- Recommended Tenders: AI-powered suggestions based on your company profile
- Recent Activity: Latest updates on your applications
- Quick Actions: Shortcuts to common tasks
- Quick Stats: Overview of your tender applications and success rate
- Recommended Tenders: AI-powered suggestions based on your company profile
- Recent Activity: Latest updates on your applications
- Quick Actions: Shortcuts to common tasks
Navigation Menu
The main navigation menu includes:
- Dashboard: Your home base with personalized insights
- Tenders: Browse and search available tenders
- Applications: Track your tender applications
- Documents: Manage your company documents
- Settings: Configure your profile and preferences
- Dashboard: Your home base with personalized insights
- Tenders: Browse and search available tenders
- Applications: Track your tender applications
- Documents: Manage your company documents
- Settings: Configure your profile and preferences
Tender Discovery
Using the Tender Search
1. Basic Search: Use the search bar to find tenders by keywords
2. Advanced Filters: Narrow results by:
- Industry categories
- Geographic location (provinces)
- BBBEE requirements
- Estimated tender value
- Closing date range
2. Advanced Filters: Narrow results by:
- Industry categories
- Geographic location (provinces)
- BBBEE requirements
- Estimated tender value
- Closing date range
Understanding Tender Cards
Each tender card displays:
- Title and Reference Number: Unique identifier
- Organization: Issuing authority
- Closing Date: Countdown timer shows urgency
- Estimated Value: Budget range
- BBBEE Level: Required BBBEE status
- Location: Province and municipality
- Title and Reference Number: Unique identifier
- Organization: Issuing authority
- Closing Date: Countdown timer shows urgency
- Estimated Value: Budget range
- BBBEE Level: Required BBBEE status
- Location: Province and municipality
Tender Details Page
Click on any tender to view:
- Full Description: Detailed scope of work
- Requirements: Eligibility criteria and documents needed
- Contact Information: Official contact details
- Related Tenders: Similar opportunities
- Full Description: Detailed scope of work
- Requirements: Eligibility criteria and documents needed
- Contact Information: Official contact details
- Related Tenders: Similar opportunities
Application Management
Starting an Application
1. Click "Apply Now" on any tender
2. Review the requirements checklist
3. Upload required documents
4. Complete application forms
5. Submit before the deadline
2. Review the requirements checklist
3. Upload required documents
4. Complete application forms
5. Submit before the deadline
Tracking Applications
The Applications page shows:
- Status: Draft, Submitted, Under Review, Successful/Rejected
- Progress: Visual indicator of completion
- Deadlines: Remaining time for submissions
- Actions: Edit, view, or withdraw applications
- Status: Draft, Submitted, Under Review, Successful/Rejected
- Progress: Visual indicator of completion
- Deadlines: Remaining time for submissions
- Actions: Edit, view, or withdraw applications
Document Management
Uploading Documents
1. Navigate to Documents section
2. Click "Upload New Document"
3. Select document type from categories:
- Company Registration
- BBBEE Certificate
- Tax Clearance
- Financial Statements
- Reference Letters
2. Click "Upload New Document"
3. Select document type from categories:
- Company Registration
- BBBEE Certificate
- Tax Clearance
- Financial Statements
- Reference Letters
Document Status
Documents show:
- Valid: Current and within expiry date
- Expiring Soon: Will expire within 30 days
- Expired: Needs renewal
- Pending Review: Under verification
- Valid: Current and within expiry date
- Expiring Soon: Will expire within 30 days
- Expired: Needs renewal
- Pending Review: Under verification
Profile Settings
Company Profile
Complete your company profile with:
- Basic Information: Name, registration, contact details
- Industry Codes: Primary and secondary industries
- Geographic Coverage: Operating provinces
- Capacity Information: Team size and capabilities
- BBBEE Status: Current level and certificate
- Basic Information: Name, registration, contact details
- Industry Codes: Primary and secondary industries
- Geographic Coverage: Operating provinces
- Capacity Information: Team size and capabilities
- BBBEE Status: Current level and certificate
Notification Preferences
Configure alerts for:
- New Tenders: Matching your criteria
- Application Updates: Status changes
- Document Reminders: Expiry notifications
- System Announcements: Platform updates
- New Tenders: Matching your criteria
- Application Updates: Status changes
- Document Reminders: Expiry notifications
- System Announcements: Platform updates
Best Practices
Profile Completeness
- 100% Complete: Ensures best tender matches
- Regular Updates: Keep information current
- Document Management: Upload documents before applying
- Regular Updates: Keep information current
- Document Management: Upload documents before applying
Application Strategy
- Early Applications: Submit well before deadlines
- Quality over Quantity: Focus on suitable tenders
- Follow Instructions: Adhere to all requirements
- Professional Presentation: Use clear, concise language
- Quality over Quantity: Focus on suitable tenders
- Follow Instructions: Adhere to all requirements
- Professional Presentation: Use clear, concise language
Staying Organized
- Use Favorites: Save interesting tenders
- Set Reminders: Track important deadlines
- Regular Check-ins: Log in frequently for updates
- Set Reminders: Track important deadlines
- Regular Check-ins: Log in frequently for updates
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Can't Find Relevant Tenders
- Check and update your industry codes
- Expand geographic preferences
- Adjust BBBEE level settings
Application Won't Submit
- Verify all required documents are uploaded
- Check file formats and sizes
- Ensure all form fields are completed
Missing Notifications
- Check notification settings
- Verify email address
- Check spam/junk folders
Getting Help
- Documentation: Browse help articles
- Support Chat: Real-time assistance
- Email Support: Detailed inquiries
- Community Forum: User discussions
- Support Chat: Real-time assistance
- Email Support: Detailed inquiries
- Community Forum: User discussions
Related Documentation
- Tender Application Guide - Step-by-step guide for completing tender applications
- Document Management Guide - Learn how to organize and manage your company documents
- BBBEE Requirements Guide - Understanding BBBEE requirements for tender applications
- Document Management Guide - Learn how to organize and manage your company documents
- BBBEE Requirements Guide - Understanding BBBEE requirements for tender applications
Help and Support
- Email Support: support@tenders-sa.org
- Browse Documentation: /docs
- Contact Support Team: /support
- Browse Documentation: /docs
- Contact Support Team: /support