Non-compliant tender
This article describes in detail the tender process for a typical commercial construction contract.
For a wider description of the range of tender processes that might be adopted on different types of project, see Tender processes.
For more information about different contractual procurement routes, see Procurement route.
An invitation to tender will generally include very specific requirements for the information and format of the tender that prospective suppliers must submit. This ensures that necessary information is included and that it is in a format that the client is able to analyse and compare with other tenders.
If a prospective contractor or supplier submits a tender that does not comply with the client's requirements then that bidder is said to have submitted a non-compliant bid. This can result in the tender being rejected. Full compliance requires that all material conditions of the invitation to tender must be complied with.
A tender may be non-compliant by:
- Not answering all the question(s).
- Exceeding the required word length.
- Submitting in the wrong format e.g PDF when Excel or Word were required.
- Making a late submission.
- Not breaking down information in the correct way.
- Submitting proposals that do not comply with the client's requirements.
However, a non-compliant proposal, sometimes referred to as a variant bid, may be submitted intentionally if the tenderer believes that an alternative could offer better value for money that the requirements set out in the invitation to tender. However, non-compliant proposals should only be submitted if they have been requested or are explicitly permitted by the client, and they may need to be accompanied by a compliant bid to allow direct comparison with other tenders.
See also: Qualified bid.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Best value.
- Bid writer.
- Competitive tender.
- Contract award.
- Contract conditions.
- Contract documents.
- Due diligence when selecting contractors or subcontractors.
- Invitation to tender.
- Letter of award.
- Mid-tender interview.
- Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT).
- Pre-tender interview.
- Procurement route.
- Qualified bid.
- Selection criteria.
- Tender documentation.
- Tender evaluation.
- Tender processes.
Featured articles and news
Cladding remediation programmes, transparency and target date.
National Audit Office issue report on cladding remediation.
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.