The seven point check
- Checked the portal for new addenda
- Acknowledged every addendum
- Forms signed by an authorised person
- Price schedule matches the tender form
- Every returnable included, in their format
- File names and sizes the portal accepts
- Upload early and save the receipt
Why the day before
Everyone uploads in the last hour, and portals can slow down. Late by one minute is still late.
After you lodge
- Save the receipt and confirmation email.
- Keep a copy of exactly what you lodged.
- Note the validity period of your offer.
- Watch for clarification requests from the buyer.
The final ten minute check
- Closing date and time, and the time zone it is stated in
- Every addendum acknowledged
- Price schedule totals match the form of tender
- All mandatory forms signed by an authorised person
- Insurance certificates current and in the right entity name
- File names and formats as the buyer asked
- No tracked changes, comments or other buyers' names left in the files
- Lodgement receipt saved
Print this list or keep it on screen. Ticking it off takes minutes and prevents the most common reasons a response is excluded.
Questions
What is the most common lodge day mistake?
Missing a late addendum or a signed form. Both can make a response non conforming.
Should I keep a copy of my tender?
Yes. Keep exactly what you lodged, so you can answer clarifications and reuse the facts next time.
What if the portal fails before closing?
Contact the buyer's contact officer straight away, keep screenshots with the time showing, and follow the portal failure process in the conditions of tender. Lodging early is the best protection.
Can I lodge more than once?
Many portals let you replace a response before closing. Check the conditions: some treat the last lodged version as final, and others ask you to withdraw first.
Who should sign the forms?
A person with authority to bind your business, usually a director or someone they have formally delegated. The form of tender often says who must sign. Unsigned or wrongly signed forms are a common reason for exclusion.