'Invitation to Tender's (ITT)' Explained

What is an Invitation to Tender (ITT)?

An Invitation to Tender (ITT) is a document that outlines the requirements and evaluation criteria for a particular project or service. It's basically like a roadmap for bidding on a project, giving you all the necessary information needed to prepare a winning proposal.

An ITT is typically issued by a buyer to invite suppliers (you!) to bid for a contract for goods, services, or works.

Prior to the release of the ITT, it is common for a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) to be issued, which helps the buyer narrow down potential suppliers. This process is standard in United Kingdom public sector procurement.

Notification of an ITT can be received through email, an online procurement portal, or a traditional letter. Online methods usually allow interested parties to download documents and instructions, which provide all necessary information to determine if the opportunity is suitable for their business.

While some tenders may still require a hard copy submission, instructions regarding the design, layout, font, word or page count, and submission process will be detailed in the documents. It is important to read the instructions thoroughly to ensure compliance with the buyer's requirements.

What Does an ITT Include?

An Invitation to Tender (ITT) typically includes specific information about the goods or services that a buyer wishes to procure; as well as any specific considerations they want the potential suppliers to explore and provide evidence for.

The exact information included in the ITT can vary depending on the industry and the buyer's requirements, but it generally provides more detailed information about the project and what the buyer expects from the suppliers.

When evaluating an ITT, you can typically expect to find the following information included:

• Detailed specifications of the goods or services required

• Requirements for delivery or completion of the project

• Evaluation criteria and scoring methodology

• Deadlines and submission requirements

• Contract terms and conditions

• Any additional information or instructions that suppliers need to know

By carefully reviewing the ITT and following the instructions provided, you can ensure that your bid meets the buyer's requirements and has the best chance of success.

The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)

Prior to releasing an Invitation to Tender (ITT), it's common practice to issue a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) as part of the tender process. The purpose of this questionnaire is to help the buyer narrow down the list of potential suppliers, and invite only the selected businesses that have been successful in the previous round to submit their bids.

This process is especially standard in public sector procurement in the United Kingdom; where transparency and fairness are of utmost importance. By using a PQQ, the buyer can ensure that only the most qualified and capable suppliers are invited to proceed to the next stage of the tender process.

What To Do Next...

The next step is determining whether or not this opportunity is a 'go' or 'no go' situation for you and your company. Do you meet the criteria set out in the ITT? Are you capable of completing the job? Would the work benefit your company? These are all key questions to ask yourself when evaluating the ITT.

If you do decide to go ahead, check out this blog on how to write a tender. Or, alternatively, if you some help, don't hesitate to contact us at Bid Writing Network!