How to win a care tender
You win a care tender by clearing the pass-fail criteria, then scoring highly on the quality questions against the published grid. Most tenders are decided on specific, evidenced answers to method statements, not on statements of intent. Check eligibility first so you only bid where you qualify, mirror the scoring grid exactly, and back every claim with how your service actually runs. Price matters, but quality usually carries the larger share of the marks.
Check eligibility before you write a word
Every care tender has pass-fail gates: CQC rating, minimum turnover, insurance levels, and sometimes geographic or lot restrictions. Fail one and the bid is rejected unread. Confirm you clear all of them before investing time, which is exactly what our free eligibility check does.
Answer the scoring grid, not the topic
Commissioners score each quality answer against published criteria with weightings. Read the grid, then structure your answer so the evaluator finds each scored point in order. A strong answer to the wrong question still scores nothing.
Evidence beats intent
Generic, values-led answers score poorly because every bidder writes them. Specific detail wins: real rotas, named roles, timings, audit results and what happens when something goes wrong. We only take on bids we believe you can win, and if a loss is down to a writing error on our side, we rewrite it free.
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 single biggest reason care bids lose?
Answering a slightly different question to the one asked, or making claims with no evidence. Both leave easy marks on the table. Mirroring the question and grid, then evidencing each point, fixes most of it.
Does the cheapest price win a care tender?
Rarely. Most care tenders weight quality heavily, often 60 percent or more. A compliant, well-evidenced quality response usually beats a low price with weak answers.
Can a small provider win against larger competitors?
Yes. Lots are often sized for smaller providers, and scoring rewards specific local evidence that large bidders struggle to give. Eligibility and answer quality decide it, not size alone.
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.