Bid teams / tender teams often bid for projects that the company can’t do.

They will make a schedule that is too tight, or have milestones that are impossible to achieve.

You should make sure that the bid teams know what resources are available, how busy everyone is, and what problems have arisen in projects.

Ideally the leaders of the bid teams should be included in regular project summary meetings (the meetings where project managers meet together to report on the different projects to the program manager). Including them in meetings (perhaps once a week) will give the bid managers the opportunity to understand the current issues in the projects.

Remember, they are trying to sell, usually as much as possible, you have to make them aware of just what is possible.

Tagged with: bid • milestone • project meetings • schedule

Filed under: Human Resources • Planning • Tender • Time

Always check references given to you and also that you are submitting.

• You should check that references you list for your company will in fact give you a good reference.
• Clients do check the references listed in bids and proposals.
• Contact potential references on a regular basis.
• Obtain consent from the reference company for them to act as a reference.
• Ask them to call you after they receive a call for a reference about your company.

Tagged with: bid • proposal • reference

Filed under: Client • Tender

Be wary of low bids by contractors.

Get a number of bids. Compare and check why a low bid is so low.
If a low bid is accepted, be especially careful in your documentation, communication, contract conditions, and liabilities.

Be aware that by taking the lowest bid (especially if it is significantly lower than the others) you will be increasing the risk that the contractor won’t be able to deliver to the quality and schedule you require.

Tagged with: bid • contractor • Procurement • Risk

Filed under: Contractors • Procurement • Risk