8/11/2015 10 top tender tips for small business owners | Destiny Man

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10 TOP TENDER TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

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10 top tender tips for small businessownersBY DESTINY MAN REPORTERApril 20, 2015

Picture credit: iStock Image

Online business social network portal Opentenders.com takes us through its top 10tips to help you get that tender

1. Register on government supplier databases.  

Decide which sectors are most pertinent to your business and then register to do business with thatparticular department. During the registration process you will be required to submit an original, current andvalid tax clearance certificate and a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) certificate. You will also berequired to submit copies of your company’s registration documents as proof of its existence.

The government has launched a one­stop supplier registration portal www.e­tender.gov.za to make multipleregistrations easier.

2. Make sure you know what is out there.

To keep abreast of opportunities in your sector, subscribe to a service that will provide you with regular andup­to­date email notifications of all the tenders in the sector that is relevant to your business. You can findthis information on the Opentenders website.

3. Know what form the tender needs to take.

The business of government tendering is a numbers game. The more times you respond to tenders, themore likely it is that you will obtain one. The first thing to do once you have received a notification that thereis a tender in a specific department is to confirm when and where you can pick up the tender documents.

Then, identify the process of responding: will it be by hard copy to be delivered at a tender box, or byelectronic submission?

4. Read the terms and conditions of the tender carefully, paying attention to what is required ofyou. 

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8/11/2015 10 top tender tips for small business owners | Destiny Man

http://www.destinyman.com/2015/04/20/10­top­tender­tips­for­small­business­owners/ 2/4

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The tender notification will indicate whether there is a tender briefing and whether attendance is compulsoryor not. We suggest attending the tender briefing, as this will give you better insight into what is expected ofthe successful bidder and you can then make an informed decision about whether or not to apply for thetender, and what to highlight in your application to increase your chances of success.

5. Read the tender document from beginning to end, then complete the tender documents carefullyand attach all supporting documents.

Since government officials receive a multitude of tenders, they tend to look for reasons to cut down thenumbers of documents they take to the adjudication committee. If the tender documents are not filled inproperly, or one of the essential accompanying documents such as a BEE certificate or valid tax certificate isnot attached, they will immediately disqualify that application.

6. Submit before the closing date

Most tenders require a hard copy to be physically delivered to a tender box before a specified closing timeand date. Failure to submit a tender on time is grounds for disqualification. Government officials will not evenbother to open late documents and you will have wasted your time.

7. Ensure your pricing is competitive.

When evaluating a tender, officials are looking for a tenderer who distinguishes themselves from thecompetition – and price is the number one consideration. Other factors to focus on so as to increase yourchances of success are: demonstrating innovativeness, capacity to deliver by submitting a picture gallery ofyour previous work, or testimonials from satisfied customers. In essence, strive to prove your ability to deliveron the work tendered.

8. Confirm that your tender documents have been received

There have been numerous instances of tampering with tender boxes. Our recommendation is to call andensure that the person for whom the tender was intended, has in fact received it. Follow this up with aconfirmatory email to be on the safe side.

9. Keep a copy of your submitted tender document with all its attachments.

This is necessary for your own records and knowledge base for future tenders. It is also a vital back­upshould your documents go missing.

10. Know when the adjudication committee is going to sit to consider your tender, and keep yourdocuments updated         

It often happens that the tender was submitted with valid accompanying documents such as tax certificateand BEE certificate, but at the time of the adjudication committee sitting, those documents have sincelapsed.

Ensure that the latest valid documents are furnished to the parties concerned at the time of the sitting of theadjudication committee.

Text supplied by Opentenders.com

Tags: adjudication committee, BEE certificate, confirm receipt of documents, government supplier databases, governmenttenders, price competitively, submit before closing date, supporting documents, tips for entrepreneurs and small businessowners, tips for tenders, valid tax certificate

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5 Comments Sort by 

Smangaliso Innocent KhozaVery insightful.Like · Reply · 20 April 2015 19:28

Sithembiso Martin Mahlalela · Works at Self­employedAt times you will be given 7 days to ensure that you submit your BEE for compliance the failure todo that no points will be scoredLike · Reply · 16 May 2015 09:33

Mpendulo Vukubi · University of Fort HareFailure to attach a BEE cerificate will deny you points but your bid will not be disqualified.Like · Reply · 21 April 2015 12:05

Marius Gildenhuys · Owner at Real Results PublishingEish!!!Like · Reply · 21 April 2015 06:17

Marius Gildenhuys · Owner at Real Results PublishingEish!!!Like · Reply · 21 April 2015 06:17

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