Articles

Should You Bid? 15 Questions I Always Ask Before I Agree to Write a Tender

Winning more contracts isn't about bidding for more opportunities. Here are the 15 questions I always ask before agreeing to write a tender.

7 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-31

Why Good Bids Still Lose

Losing a tender doesn't always mean your bid was poor. Here's what really influences public sector bid outcomes and how to turn feedback into your next win.

5 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-28

How to Choose the Right Case Studies for Your Tender

The best case study isn't usually your biggest contract. It's the one most like the contract you're bidding for. Here's how to choose case studies that actually score.

4 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Structure a Winning Tender Response

A clear structure is often the difference between an average tender response and an excellent one. Kim Frater shares her step-by-step approach.

6 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Answer Public Sector Tender Questions

Understand what buyers really mean by describe, explain, demonstrate and outline — and how to answer tender questions with confidence.

5 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Deliver Social Value on Grounds Maintenance Contracts

Grounds maintenance is about more than cutting grass. Kim explains in plain English how to turn everyday work into a strong, believable social value response.

5 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Deliver Social Value on Facilities Management Contracts

Practical social value ideas for facilities management providers — from local recruitment and apprenticeships to sustainability, wellbeing and long-term community partnerships.

4 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Deliver Social Value on Security Contracts

Practical social value ideas security companies can adapt to their contracts — from local recruitment and career pathways to community safety, safeguarding and wellbeing.

6 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Deliver Social Value on Cleaning Contracts

Cleaning contracts are some of the most common public sector opportunities advertised each year.

6 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

Can Small Businesses Compete on Social Value

One of the biggest myths in public procurement is that large organisations automatically score higher for social value.

5 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Measure and Report Social Value

Writing a strong social value response is only part of the story.

4 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How Buyers Score Social Value in Public Sector Tenders

One of the biggest misconceptions about social value is that buyers simply award marks to the organisation making the biggest promises.

5 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

Common Social Value Mistakes That Cost You Marks

Many businesses assume that because they already do good things in their community, they'll naturally score well for social value.

6 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Write a Winning Social Value Response

Buyers aren't looking for the biggest promises, they're looking for the most believable ones. Kim explains how to write a social value response that scores.

6 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

20 Practical Social Value Ideas for SMEs

You don't need a huge budget to deliver great social value. Kim shares 20 realistic ideas SMEs can adapt to almost any public sector contract.

5 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

What Is a Planning Notice or Early Engagement Notice?

Have you ever spotted an opportunity on a procurement website, clicked on it with excitement and then realised you can't actually submit a bid?

4 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

Understanding Evaluation Criteria: How Bids Are Scored

One of the first things I look for when I start to review a tender isn't the specification.

5 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Bid for UK Public Sector Contracts: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Over the last 40 years I've worked on both sides of public procurement, as a public sector buyer and now as the founder of Bid Trawler.

10 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

What Is Social Value? A Beginner’s Guide to Social Value in Public Procurement

If you've looked at a public sector tender recently, you've probably come across the words "Social Value."

6 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

How to Read a Public Procurement Contract Notice (Without the Confusing Jargon)

When I worked as a public sector buyer, I quickly realised that many suppliers dismissed opportunities because the notices looked far more complicated than they really were. In reality, once you know where to look, most contract notices can

7 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27

Understanding Public Sector Tender Deadlines: Why Timing is Everything

One of the biggest mistakes I see businesses make is leaving their bid until the last minute.

5 min read · By Kim Frater · 2026-07-27