How to respond to a care tender
To respond to a care tender, express interest on the portal to get the documents, read the scoring grid and instructions first, then plan your answers around the highest weighted questions. Gather your evidence, write clear method statements tied to the criteria, get a second person to sign off, and submit on the portal well before the deadline. Submitting early protects you from last minute upload problems.
Before you write
Express interest on the portal, such as ProContract, In-Tend or Atamis, and download the full pack. Read the instructions, the selection questionnaire and the scoring grid before anything else, so you know how marks are awarded. Note the clarification deadline and submit any questions early, since the answers can change how you write a response.
Writing and submitting
Plan your time around the highest weighted questions and answer exactly what each one asks, with specifics and evidence. Have someone who did not write it read it against the scoring grid before sign off. Upload to the portal a day or two early, check every attachment is the right version, and confirm the submission has gone through. Do not leave the final upload to the deadline hour.
Not sure if you qualify for a tender? We check it for free, before you pay anything, and we only take bids we believe you can win. Text TENDER to get started.
Common questions
What is the first step in responding to a care tender?
Express interest on the portal to access the documents, then read the instructions and scoring grid before you start writing. Understanding how marks are awarded shapes every answer.
Should I submit a care bid early?
Yes. Submit a day or two before the deadline. Portals can be slow under load, and a late upload, even by minutes, almost always means automatic rejection.
Do I need someone to check the bid before I submit?
Strongly recommended. A second reader checking your answers against the scoring grid catches gaps, vague points and missing evidence before it is too late to fix them.
Keep reading
Browse all care tender guides, or see care tender writing by service.
Got a tender to check?
Text TENDER to +44 7822 001898and we'll tell you free whether you'd qualify, before you spend a penny.