How our team will help you

Our team of expert bid and tender writers help businesses (including sub-contractors and main contractors) write and win bids and tenders.

We work across all industries such as construction, defence, medical and health, equipment supply, community services and not for profit.

Addressing the sub-contractor issue

For many bid responses, writing about subcontractors in tenders is often covered on both sides so that the selection panel/procuring team are exactly aware of who they are receiving offers from.

For any tenderer, becoming a subcontractor can be an excellent way towards gaining real experience servicing large contracts. The inevitable transition from subcontractor status to an independent tenderer is more easily achieved when subcontractors have performed adequately in their previous contracts and are therefore capable of demonstrating the experience required for large tenders.

In the engineering and construction industries, subcontractor relationships are often enquired about in the tender documents themselves. As a first time tenderer, it is possible to engage other larger competitors on the prospect of a joint bid. This arrangement allows those companies with relative inexperience a pathway into servicing large contracts that they normally would not be considered for.

It is important to note that this applies in oil and gas tenders just as much as engineering and construction. The importance of understanding the nature of subcontracting in Tenders is both insightful and essential for business. There may be times when the highest level of efficiency and quality can only be achieved through subcontracting and therefore, on this front experience is crucial.

A strategy for your next bid or tender

In many tenders, the relative experience is that Catch-22 in which tenders are usually awarded to the most experienced (barring other criteria such as locality, charitable status, etc) but in doing so, many tenderers lack the experience to formulate a strong bid, to begin with. Subcontractor status in a tender can, therefore, break past that barrier and allow certain tenderers an opportunity to build important relationships and learn new skills. The Tender Team is adept at helping our clients craft tender responses that emphasise how convenient a subcontractor arrangement can be for both sides in our tender documents.

There are however disadvantages when it comes to becoming a subcontractor under a tender agreement. In many cases, the main contractor will limit any and all contact between you and the end client, therefore allowing you to demonstrate your skills and gain experience but prevent you from gaining company recognition. Furthermore, subcontractors’ payment schedules are influenced by the main contractor and any failure in performing your specified services can lead to litigation.

However, as a tenderer who wishes to engage the services of a subcontractor, The Tender Team will assist on how best to emphasise this relationship. Leveraging specific skills from the subcontractor alongside our clients’ main talents, we pride ourselves on the selection panel/procuring team getting a clear sense of how our clients’ combined talents distinguish themselves from the competition.

Subcontractor arrangements within a tender response are often created out of necessity, allowing main contractors to focus on the bigger aspects of a large engineering or construction contract while allowing for subcontractors to fulfill the grunt work or more specialist requirements.

At The Tender Team, we review your subcontractor arrangements or status and ensure that all aspects of your intended relationship are perfectly encapsulated in the tender response, all of which being essential aspects in writing about subcontractors in tenders.

Call The Tender Team now on 0410 448 770 to speak with our expert tender consultants about other ways in writing about subcontractors in tenders to increase your tender and bids win rate. We provide around-the-clock service, at great rates and have had a successful start to the year in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I win a tender without experience?

We have seen it happen once or twice but generally speaking, it’s more difficult and certainly depends on the situation. One strategy is to enter into a joint venture with a more experienced company and leverage on their experience. Alternatively, you may have the experience and expertise from a recent hire. Although it isn’t your businesses / company experience, you can still quote this experience in your bid and explain why it will be of use. With experience and expertise usually a substantial part of the weighting criteria, it’s difficult to win a government or private sector tender without experience, although not impossible, if you have the correct strategy.

What is a non-conforming tender for a sub-contractor and is it a good thing?

A non-conforming tender is a tender response that doesn’t conform with the tender or bid requirements. Usually it means you are disqualified and isn’t a good thing. There is an option, however, to put in a conforming bid as well as a non-conforming bid. This is completed through the contractor (i.e. a subcontractor bidding for a contract) putting in a conforming bid as well as another option of how to deliver the services or goods better (or differently) through a non-conforming bid.

How much does it cost to hire a bid writer for a small contract?

It varies. However, it give you are rough idea, the smallest and quickest tender we have ever worked on for a client was at a cost of $700 + GST. However, it depends on the size of the tender. We provide a free quote so feel free to email your RFP docs through to info@thetenderteam.com.au and we will give you an idea of costings.

Can a subcontractor become a main contractor in Australian tenders? Is is possible to win a main contract so we don’t have to be the sub-contractor all the time?

Yes certainly. We have helped many clients achieve this in the past. It’s one of the most satisfying parts of tender and bid writing. Our team can help you:

• Identify tender opportunities
• Ensure you have the correct insurances, safety and other documentation in place
• Build your reporting and contract management capability to the standard expected
• Help you write local content and other plans to put yourself in a good position to win your first government contract or tender. Financial stability is also clear.

Should I bid for a contract as a subcontractor or create a Joint Venture with another small contractor?

This depends on the situation and how much risk you want to take on. If you are confident that you can win the bid and have the experience and expertise, then you can bid on your own. If you think a JV will strengthen your tender response and proposal and fill in any missing gaps in capability, it’s definitely worth considering a JV.

If I’m bidding under a main contractor, how can I promote my business?

One method for promoting your business even if you are bidding as a main contractor is by branding your documents that are included in the tender. This can apply to CVs as well as any supporting documentation. It’s also a good idea to build relationships with key stakeholders on site when you are working on larger projects.

Do subcontractors also have to comply with the local content requirements they have in WA, NSW and other states?

Yes. It’s great for boosting your score and chances of success. You need to comply with the local content guidelines stipulated in each individual state.

We are a main contractor and we need to present a subcontractor as part of our bid. How do we do this without creating any issues?

You need to put together a detailed subcontractor management plan as well as integrate the subcontractor throughout your bid. I.e. from WHS, quality and other aspects of your bid, you should also refer to and mention the subcontractor.

Is it beneficial to leverage specialised subcontractors to try and score well and win a contract?

Yes it is. Particularly where it is a job or project that is highly specialised and the sub-contractor will be a specialist skillset. It can strengthen your bid and enhance your proposed expertise.

Are there specific requirements for subcontractors which we need to comply with for oil and gas tenders in Australia?

Yes there are some licensing requirements that you will need to comply with which are specific to the oil and gas industry. In addition, you generally need to comply with all of the same requirements the main contractor needs to comply with. ISO certification is sometimes necessary and major energy firms all have their own individual quality, safety and environmental requirements which you need to comply with.

Our team of ICT Tender Writing Professionals in Singapore are able to provide expert advice on a range of the S$2.82 billion of information and communications technology tenders that have been released by the Singapore Government for the 2016.

These tenders have been released primarily by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and the tenders will mainly comprise of infrastructure and ICT security bulk contracts.  There is a strong focus on infrastructure related projects and our tender writers are experts in drafting these types of tenders.

Our service provision

Here at The Tender Team, our ICT tender writing professionals provide both Singapore based and international clients with a complete tender writing and management service including:

• Tender Review
• Bid/No Bid Analysis
• Initial Content Drafting
• Drafting and formation of Appendices and Supporting Documentation
• Overall Tender and Bid Strategic Advice

Our ICT Tender Writing Professionals in Singapore

Our ICT Tender Writing Professionals in Singapore will draft engaging writing that will increase your prospects of success. We have a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the Singapore Government, and use this understanding to benefit our clients by incorporating the appropriate win-themes and other key messages.

When you engage with us we will take the time to understand your business as well as the existing material you have on your database. We will also discuss with you the prospects for success in each tender, as well as your suitability for the tender you are looking to go for. This will lay the groundwork for us to be able to provide you with a professional tender writing service through the process.

Our Fees

Contact us now by enquiring within, to arrange an initial consultation and to arrange a fee proposal. Our fees are designed to ensure we add value to your bid and ensure you produce an exemplary response. We also provide assistance to companies in Australia through an Australian office. 

While many employees in Australia enjoy the common tradition of a beer or wine on Friday afternoon, it is an important part of any tenderer’s application to include a Drug and Alcohol Policy if requested by the tender documents.

The Drug and Alcohol Policy is a comprehensive document that covers all aspects of drug and alcohol-related incidents occurring at the workplace. The tenderer is required to demonstrate procedures and methods that help to assess the situation and rectify any issues that arise when an employee has become inebriated and their actions lead to damage, injury or a combination thereof.

In many Drug and Alcohol Policy documents, tenderers often employ the following sections to help comprise their own, company-specific policies;

Responsibility/Duty of Care

For all companies, there are basic responsibilities and duties of care in regards to their employees at workplace premises. In respect to drugs and alcohol, The Tender Team notes that tenderers are required to have an assessment procedure as below to identify any and all relative hazards;

• Identification of foreseeable hazards that may arise;
• Assessing risk of injury or harm arising from each hazard identified; and
• Controlling risks through the implementation of control measures to eliminate or reduce such risks.

Policy Strategy

It’s usually not enough for a tenderer to identify the need for Drugs and Alcohol Policy without any further mention of how to implement it. In this respect, this policy strategy provided by us at The Tender Team outlines how specific steps to ensure that the procedures and methods within the policy are practically enforced.

Examples of how this is to occur are listed below;

• Education and training modules for all employees concerning the policy
• Proper communication of the Drugs and Alcohol Policy, in conjunction with OHS regulations
• Support from management (middle and above) on all aspects of policy
• Availability of Drugs and Alcohol Policy in hardcopy or uploaded to local intranet
• Additional training to selected, particular staff in addressing other employee issues derived from misuse of drugs and alcohol in the business premises
• At work-sponsored functions, alcohol is to be monitored and provided with moderation to all employees to prevent hazards and incidents from occurring. Non-alcoholic alternatives are also always to be provided
• Drugs and Alcohol testing with full compliance, and adhering to all legal guidelines, of any and all employees when required
• Counselling and rehabilitation services to workers in relation to alcohol and/or other drug usage.

Disciplinary Action

Understandably, not all drug and alcohol-related incidents can be prevented and a lapse of judgement from an employee under the influence can lead to a hazardous situation. Under this scenario, the Drug and Alcohol Policy becomes effective in proposing a standardised method for dealing with the issue that is both fair and appropriate.

We have listed below a series of disciplinary actions taken whenever an employee has either tested positive in a drug and/or alcohol test or has been caught in their inappropriate misuse and handling.

In the case of a negative test result, the subject will be cleared and return to work.

• Positive Test Result – A re-test is permitted within the next 45 minutes
• Confirmed Positive Test Result – The employee is warned and ordered to leave the premises for the day without payment. This first offence is recorded and counselling services are offered to the affected employee.
• Second Positive Test Result (Within 2 years) – Second warning and no payment over the affected period is issued with expectation that further offences are liable to contract termination. The affected employee will be will required to attend counselling services in order to continue employment.
• Third Positive Test Result (Within 2 years) – Last warning issued with affected employee’s contract highly liable to termination.

For any tenderer, a complete and comprehensive Drugs and Alcohol Policy is essential to demonstrate capability of handling a disruptive but highly sensitive issue in the workplace. At the Tender Team, we help to provide our clients with related policy documents that cover all aspects of drugs and alcohol workplace misuse, handling all infractions with strict disciplinary procedures but also recovery measures (such as counselling and rehabilitation) for any and all affected employees.

Call The Tender Team now on 0410 448 770 to speak with our expert tender consultants about other ways to increase your tender and bids win rate now. We provide a round-the-clock service, at great rates.

The Tender Team is a leading Australia and New Zealand tender and bid writing consultancy in Christchurch servicing Christchurch and surrounding regions. In Auckland we operate under our Tsaks Consulting brand. With the extensive reconstruction program of Christchurch well underway as a result of the Earthquake, there has been an increase in procurement and other business activity and thus an increase in the need for tenders and bid drafting to a professional level.

Our tender and bid writing consultancy in Christchurch provides a range of business and bid writing solutions including:

• Bid and tender writing
• Drafting business proposals
• Drafting capability statements
• Strategic marketing plans
• Info-graphics and editorials
• Graphic design
• Tender coordination and bid management

Our team of consultants are experienced in a range of different industries including construction, engineering, printing, distribution, medical, pharmaceutical, equipment supply and defence. We combine our industry experience with your technical know-how, and our expertise in drafting engaging content to deliver quality and engaging tender proposals and business documentation.

In addition to responding to tender questions that are industry and technical specific, we also have access to a range of content and information which will be utilised for you to respond to generic questions such as requests for WHS documentation, quality assurance documentation and an environmental policy.

Our tender and bid writing consultancy in Christchurch delivers a strategic solution to your bid, with innovative ideas and fees that provide value.

Enquire now for an initial discussion and fee proposal.