Specialist Immigration Advice Services
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
This isn't just about immigration advice
When you look at this tender, you might think it's all about providing immigration advice.
But there's more to it than that.
Transport for London and the Greater London Authority are looking for partners who can make a real difference to single adults at risk of rough sleeping.
The service isn't just about processing immigration paperwork.
It's about transforming lives by helping people secure their status and, in turn, prevent or end rough sleeping.
This is a comprehensive service involving triage, casework, legal aid escalation and collaboration with partners.
Think about the people you're helping
At the heart of this tender are the people who need support.
Individuals who are either sleeping rough or are at risk of it.
Consider the challenges they face.
They're vulnerable, often with complex needs and they require sensitive and effective support to navigate their immigration status.
Your response should demonstrate empathy and understanding of these challenges.
Show how your approach respects their dignity and supports their journey to stability.
Pay attention to what they say
The buyer is clear about their expectations.
There are four core service elements: Triage and Immigration Assessment, Further Casework, Legal Aid Escalation and Support Partnerships.
Each of these is crucial.
They also highlight the importance of partnership working and training.
These aren't just nice-to-haves.
They're essential components of the service.
Make sure your proposal reflects how you'll deliver on each of these elements.
Evidence always beats promises
The GLA and TfL will want more than assurances.
They'll want proof.
Evidence of your track record in delivering similar services.
Evidence of your capability to handle the complexities of immigration advice.
Think about:
- Case studies demonstrating successful interventions
- Testimonials from clients or partners
- Data on your service delivery outcomes
- Qualifications and experience of your team
If you have it, use it.
Don't get distracted by optional services
Yes, there are optional services.
But they aren't guaranteed.
Focus on delivering the core services to an exemplary standard.
The optional services are a potential future opportunity.
They're not part of the initial contract.
So don't build your bid around them.
Remember the geographical focus
This tender is split into five geographical lots.
Each covers different London boroughs.
Whether you're bidding for one lot or more, tailor your response to the specific needs of that area.
Understand the local context and challenges.
Reflect this understanding in your proposal.
Show how you'll manage the contract over the term
This isn't a short-term project.
The initial term is two years, with the possibility of extending to six.
Consistency is key.
Explain how you'll maintain quality and service standards over the entire term.
Consider how you'll handle staffing, training and performance reviews.
The GLA will want to know that you can sustain high-quality service throughout.
One thing I'd keep reminding myself
At the end of the day, this tender is about people.
Real people with real needs.
I'd keep reminding myself of that.
The question I'd keep asking is: "How does this help the person on the street?"
Every part of your bid should be tested against that question.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on immigration advice without considering the wider context of rough sleeping
- Fail to provide evidence of past successful interventions
- Overemphasise optional services at the expense of core services
- Ignore the specific geographical and demographic challenges of each lot
- Lack detail on maintaining service standards over the full contract term
- Are generic and don't reflect the specific requirements of the tender
- Miss the importance of partnership working and training
- Overlook the buyer's specific service element expectations
My Final Thoughts
The GLA and TfL are looking for partners who can make a genuine difference.
They're not just buying a service. They're investing in outcomes.
The contract value is significant, with an estimated maximum of £27.9 million over six years, but the focus is on quality.
The approach prioritises a combination of technical and commercial perspectives, with a marginal benefit approach to awarding lots.
This means your written submission and evidence of capability are critical.
Concentrate on the core services. Demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by those you're helping.
And above all, show how you'll deliver high-quality, consistent support across the term.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
Ready to decide whether this contract is worth bidding?
View the opportunity on Bid Trawler and access everything you need to make an informed decision, including the full tender information, direct access to the tender documents, the current supplier, who's winning similar contracts, who else may be bidding, buyer intelligence, our exclusive Inside View, your personalised Winnability Score and an AI-powered contract review.
View the Full Contract & Exclusive Inside View on Bid Trawler →About our "How to Win This Contract" guides
Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.