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Tender guides for Australian businesses

Practical, plain English guides from the Visionex Solutions bid team. 30 guides, more every month.

Writing answers

Writing answersHow to write a tender response in AustraliaA step by step guide to writing a tender response that gets through compliance and scores well: read the pack, find the knock outs, answer the criteria with evidence and check it before you lodge.9 minute read Writing answersHow to answer tender selection criteriaA simple structure for answering selection criteria in Australian tenders, with examples of what scores and what does not.6 minute read Writing answersHow to write a tender methodologyWhat evaluators look for in a methodology, a section by section structure, and how to make it specific to the tender.7 minute read Writing answersCapability statement guide for Australian businessesWhat a capability statement is, what to put in it, and a one page structure you can use.5 minute read Writing answersPast projects and referees in tendersHow to choose and describe past projects for a tender, and how to prepare referees so they help you win.5 minute read Writing answersKey personnel and CVs in tendersHow to present key people in a tender, what a tender CV should include, and the mistakes that lose marks.4 minute read Writing answersWriting a WHS response for a tenderWhat buyers look for in work health and safety responses, what to include, and when a SWMS is needed.6 minute read Writing answersUsing AI to write tenders safelyWhere AI helps with tender writing, where it goes wrong, and the rules that keep a tender accurate and compliant.6 minute read

Getting started

Getting startedWhat is a tender? A plain English guide for Australian businessesWhat a tender is, the main types (RFT, RFQ, EOI, RFP), who issues them in Australia, and the procurement thresholds that decide when the Australian Government must go to tender.7 minute read Getting startedHow tendering works in Australia, step by stepThe tender process in Australia from finding an opportunity to contract award: registering, reading the pack, asking questions, writing, lodging, evaluation and debriefs.7 minute read Getting startedGo or no go: how to decide if a tender is worth biddingA simple go or no go check for Australian tenders: seven questions, a scoring rule, and the warning signs that a tender is not worth your time.6 minute read Getting startedHow tenders are scored in AustraliaHow evaluation panels score tenders: compliance checks first, then weighted criteria, value for money and how to write so each point is easy to score.7 minute read Getting startedWhere to find tenders in Australia: every government portalEvery official tender portal for the Australian Government, each state and territory, plus councils, BuyICT and private tenders, with links.5 minute read

Knock outs and compliance

Knock outs and complianceTender knock outs: what they are and how to find themThe requirements that rule a tender out before it is scored, where they hide in the pack, and a checklist to find every one on day one.7 minute read Knock outs and complianceConditions of tender explainedWhat the conditions of tender cover, the clauses that most often exclude responses, and how to read them quickly.6 minute read Knock outs and complianceReturnable schedules explained: what buyers want backWhat returnable schedules are, the ones in almost every Australian tender, and how to fill them without missing a box.6 minute read Knock outs and complianceTender addenda: what they are and what to doHow tender addenda work, why they matter, and the three things to do every time one is issued.4 minute read Knock outs and complianceInsurance requirements in tendersThe insurances Australian tenders ask for, how to read the levels, and how to avoid an insurance knock out.5 minute read Knock outs and complianceStatutory declarations in tendersWhy tenders ask for a statutory declaration, the ways to make a Commonwealth one, and why state forms have different rules.5 minute read

Lodging

LodgingHow to lodge a tender on a government portalStep by step: preparing your files, uploading to an Australian tender portal, getting a receipt and what to do if something goes wrong.5 minute read LodgingThe tender lodge day checklistA seven point check to run the day before you lodge any tender in Australia.3 minute read LodgingTender clarification questions: what and when to askHow to ask a buyer clarification questions during a tender, what to ask, and the cut off rules.4 minute read LodgingWhat happens after you lodge a tenderEvaluation, shortlists, interviews, negotiation, award and debriefs: what to expect after you lodge a tender in Australia.4 minute read

By industry

By industryCleaning tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow cleaning tenders work in Australia, what buyers score, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.5 minute read By industryLandscaping and grounds maintenance tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow landscaping and grounds maintenance tenders work in Australia, what buyers score, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.5 minute read By industryConstruction and civil tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow construction and civil tenders work in Australia, what buyers score, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.5 minute read By industryFacilities management tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow facilities management tenders work in Australia, what buyers score, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.5 minute read By industryIT and ICT tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow IT tenders and ICT tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read By industryProfessional services tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow consulting tenders and professional services tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read By industryHealth, aged care and NDIS tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow health tenders and aged care tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read By industryCommunity and social services tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow community services tenders and social services tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read By industryEducation and training tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow education tenders and training tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read By industryTransport and logistics tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow transport tenders and logistics tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read By industryEnvironment, waste and energy tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow waste management tenders and environmental tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read By industrySupply of goods and equipment tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow supply tenders and government supply tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read By industryMarketing, events and creative tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow marketing tenders and advertising tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read By industrySecurity services tenders in Australia: a practical guideHow security tenders and security services tenders work in Australia: who buys, what they ask for, the common knock outs and how to win more of them.6 minute read

By buyer

By buyerCouncil tenders in Australia: how to win local government workHow local councils buy, where they advertise tenders, what they score and how small businesses can win council contracts.5 minute read By buyerState government tenders: a guide for each state and territoryHow state and territory governments advertise and run tenders, with the official portal for each.5 minute read By buyerAusTender: how to find and win Australian Government tendersHow AusTender works, the Commonwealth Procurement Rules that matter to suppliers, and tips for small businesses.5 minute read

Reference

ReferenceTender glossaryPlain English meanings of the terms buyers use, from addenda to weighting.28 terms