tender/quote for local authority works

[oz07]

I am on the portal for seeing and replying to tender opportunities for public works. I have seen an opportunity which is local and fits my business pretty well. I have a lot of experience in the types of works in the Lot on offer.

I'm no neanderthal when it comes to paperwork but the sheer amount needed to submit seems immense. I can either spend a good few days on this or seek out the services of someone who specialises in this and can break down the jargon for me! I'm sure these people must exist as some of the firms I have worked for before doing this kind of work do not have big offices and large amounts of staff.

Does anyone here know the way forward or could make any recommendations?

Cheers

 

[intheTRADE]

Hello @oz07, we may be able help. Can I ask what industry the work are in?

 

[kulture]

It depends on the size of the job and the size of the local authority. They are required by law to put the jobs out to tender when they are likely to be above a certain size. However a small authority is just as likely to be intimidated by the paperwork as you are. It may help to just give them a ring and ask them. At worst they will just refer you to the tender and say they cannot otherwise talk to you, at best you will have started to establish a relationship that may prove beneficial, if not for this job maybe th enext one.

 

[oz07]

Construction is the industry. Average value of contract is 1200 based on previous years think something like 500k per year. A bigger council seem to be handling the tendering process for a smaller district council

 

[WaveJumper]

Unfortunately tendering for council contracts is rather laborious to say the least having worked alongside quite a few councils over the years getting caught up in their processes can be, shell we say somewhat frustrating and a very slow.

On the tendering side they have a statutory obligation under the Governments Best Value Review Regime to seek competitive prices not sure if they still have too but back in the day, they had to put this out to other EU members states as a matter of course.

As you have found you have to jump through an awful lot of hoops. If you do a google search, there’s plenty of companies out there who specialise in supporting companies tendering for council / government contracts.

This link is always an interesting read on the levels councils will go to. Best of luck

https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.u.../A Brief Guide to Public Sector Tendering.pdf

 

[oz07]

I contacted the persons in charge of this contract with a few queries and got this response! I can understand why tbf. This is why I need to sub this out

Unfortunately we are unable to engage with any bidder outside of the e-tendering portal. As a public sector body, we must ensure we undertake all our tendering exercises with complete transparency, treating all parties equally while maintaining a complete audit trail, and the portal ensures we do this. If following your review of the documentation you have any questions, please submit them to us via the messaging facility in the portal for review and response.

 

[oz07]

I found another portal yesterday too. I've submitted my details for another opportunity. Not sure how well it will go as I winged it to some extent but it seems more suited to the smaller companies. You submit all your details and the areas and trades you cover. If you're application is accepted I think you are then invited to quote a daily hourly rate. this can then be used by other public service providers to subcontract your company in due to sickness/holidays/peaks in demand etc. I've probably fudged up the application but we shall see. All in all an eye opening day yesterday didn't really realise the accessibility of this side of the industry.

Still might get a few estimates for preparation of tender for original contract

 

[cts1975]

Normally once you are on the 'framework' of a LA you stay there and just get invited to tender as new tender opportunities come along. There is a lot of paperwork and documents to deal with at the beginning but it gets easier the more you use the portal.

 

[oz07]

For anyone interested I had a rough estimate to prepare the tender. I had already decided not to tender at this point but asked one of the companies out of interest for a ballpark. 4.5k.

I was accepted onto the other scheme I applied for which seems to be more of an approved list of contractors, for public bodies to be able to use adhoc. We will see what comes of it.

 

[intheTRADE]

For anyone interested I had a rough estimate to prepare the tender. I had already decided not to tender at this point but asked one of the companies out of interest for a ballpark. 4.5k.

I was accepted onto the other scheme I applied for which seems to be more of an approved list of contractors, for public bodies to be able to use adhoc. We will see what comes of it.

Ridiculous price, but not unusual to see

We would probably charge around half that figure

 

[Newchodge]

For anyone interested I had a rough estimate to prepare the tender. I had already decided not to tender at this point but asked one of the companies out of interest for a ballpark. 4.5k.

I was accepted onto the other scheme I applied for which seems to be more of an approved list of contractors, for public bodies to be able to use adhoc. We will see what comes of it.

Be very careful. There are sites out there that charge you to go onto the 'approved list' All they do is signpost you to the sites inviting tenders.

 

[oz07]

I've not been charged this is a commission based set up. Think the commission is 1%

 

[Deleted member 59730]

I've not been charged this is a commission based set up. Think the commission is 1%

1% is a charge!

 

[oz07]

1% is a charge!

I don't believe in the context @Newchodge meant when warning me