Source: https://tendernation.io/tools/bid-no-bid-scorecard

Free bid decision tool

# Should you bid for this tender?

Answer twelve questions about a tender. Each one is weighted by how much it matters, and a No on a show-stopper means no bid whatever the score. Your answers stay in the page address, so you can share the result with your team.

Bid/no-bid scorecard

Tender name (optional)

## Fit

Can you do this work, and can you prove it?

1. ### We deliver this service today

    For paying customers now, not something you plan to offer once you win.

    Weight 3Show-stopper: No means no bid

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –
2. ### We have relevant case studies of similar size and sector

    Evaluators score evidence. Recent, named examples of similar scale carry most weight.

    Weight 2

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –
3. ### We meet the minimum requirements: turnover, insurance, accreditations

    Pass/fail conditions in the tender documents. Miss one and the rest of the bid is not scored.

    Weight 3Show-stopper: No means no bid

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –

## Relationship

Do you know this buyer and their problem better than the field?

1. ### We know the buyer, or engaged with them before publication

    Market engagement events, meetings or previous work with the same team.

    Weight 2

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –
2. ### We understand their problem beyond the specification

    Why they are buying, what went wrong before and what success looks like to them.

    Weight 2

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –
3. ### We are not up against an entrenched incumbent who performs well

    Answer Yes if there is no incumbent or they are struggling; No if a well-liked incumbent is rebidding.

    Weight 2

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –

## Commercial

Is the contract worth winning on these terms?

1. ### The contract value and margin are worth the bid cost

    Weigh the profit if you win against the time it takes to bid and your realistic chance.

    Weight 2

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –
2. ### We can price competitively within the budget

    Price is usually a large share of the score, and many buyers publish a budget or ceiling.

    Weight 3

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –
3. ### The contract terms and risk are acceptable

    Liability caps, payment terms, TUPE, service credits and termination rights.

    Weight 2Show-stopper: No means no bid

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –

## Capacity

Can you write a good bid now and deliver it later?

1. ### We have the time and people to write a quality bid before the deadline

    A named writer, subject experts and someone to review, all free before the deadline.

    Weight 3

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –
2. ### We can mobilise and deliver from the start date

    Staff, equipment, subcontractors and systems in place for day one.

    Weight 2Show-stopper: No means no bid

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –
3. ### This tender fits our strategy and growth plans

    Does it take you into a sector, region or size of contract you want more of?

    Weight 1

    NoPartlyMostlyYes

    –

## Your result

–/100

Answer a question to start scoring.

Copy summaryPrintStart again

The page address updates as you answer. Copy it to share this scorecard.

## How the score works

Each answer counts from 0 (No) to 3 (Yes) and is multiplied by the question’s weight, from 1 to 3. The score is your total as a share of the maximum for the questions you have answered, so it means something before you finish.

- Bid70 or more: go for it, and fix the weak spots in the bid.
- Qualify further45 to 69: find out more before you commit the team.
- No bidBelow 45, or a No on any show-stopper: put the effort into a better-fitting tender.

The weakest areas are the answers that cost you the most points, weighted, with practical advice on fixing each. It is a guide to a team conversation, not a substitute for one: a strong reason to bid can outweigh a middling score.

## Questions people ask

What is a bid/no-bid decision?It is a deliberate yes or no on whether to spend time bidding for a tender, made against the same questions every time: can we do the work, do we know the buyer, is it worth the money, and do we have the people. It stops a team chasing every notice and puts its effort into the tenders it can win.

When should you make a bid/no-bid decision?As soon as you have read the tender documents, before anyone starts writing, and again if something material changes, such as a clarification answer or a new requirement. Many teams also take an early view when a pipeline or preliminary market engagement notice appears, months before the tender.

What is a good tender win rate?There is no single benchmark: it depends on your sector, the size of contracts and how selective you are. The useful measure is your own rate over time. Teams that qualify tenders hard usually bid less often and win a larger share, so track every decision and outcome and compare.

How much does it cost to write a bid?Mostly people’s time: reading the documents, writing and reviewing answers, pricing, and gathering evidence such as case studies and policies. A short below-threshold quote may take a day or two; a large, multi-lot tender can take a team several weeks. Count those hours against the margin you would make before you commit.

How is the score worked out?Each answer counts from 0 (No) to 3 (Yes), multiplied by the question’s weight, and the total is shown as a share of the maximum for the questions you have answered. 70 or more suggests bid, 45 to 69 means qualify further, and below 45 suggests no bid. A No on a show-stopper question means no bid whatever the score.

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