The Importance of Asking Questions During the Bidding Process

When preparing to place a bid, there are many different things to consider as well as being able to provide the various items that are being requested of you. It’s important to make sure you fully understand the scope of work and feel confident your business can complete the job. That’s why it’s important to read the bid documents in their entirety and to ask questions and get clarification on anything within them you don’t understand.

Below we will discuss why asking questions is important and how it can make your bids significantly stronger.  

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

When reading through the bid there may be a few things you come across that you need more clarification on. Maybe the documents aren’t clear enough about the scope of work or you may want more details about the specifications or items being requested. If you don’t understand something within the documents, it’s better to ask questions, then to hold off and risk your bid not winning or being disqualified.

Reading through the specifications thoroughly is one of the most important parts of the bid process for suppliers. These documents will provide you with details on items or equipment needed, whether a job requires only installation work or if it also includes removal of parts or debris, routine maintenance work or annual checkups, specific products, or licenses, and more. Sometimes a bid document can be vaguer than you’d like so, it’s important to make a list of any specific questions you would like to ask so you can deliver the right goods or services.

Asking questions isn’t a bad thing and it doesn’t deter agencies from choosing you. Many agencies issuing bids encourage businesses to ask questions by including a question-and-answer period. If that’s the case, you want to make sure when the due date is and get your inquiries in before then to ensure you get a response. Typically, all the questions asked by various suppliers interested in the bid opportunity will be posted with the answers to each shortly after the question deadline date, providing you with clarification on something you might have missed and allowing you to adjust your bid accordingly.

How to Submit Your Questions Through bidnet direct

In addition to being able to find open bid opportunities and download all the documents and specs as a bidnet direct member, you will also be able to see if there is a Q&A period and will be able to submit any questions you may have right through our platform. To submit your questions simply click on the Q&A tab within the bid opportunity, then click “Ask Question” and there you can include the subject and your question and submit once finished. You’ll also be able to view the responses to all supplier questions when they’re published.

To start taking advantage of this feature all you need to do is register for one of our service packages and start viewing bid opportunities that match with your business.

No matter how experienced you are with bidding on government opportunities it never hurts to ask questions. It will show you’re interested in learning more about the project or items being requested, that you care about delivering the right goods or services, and that you’re willing to put in the time and energy to really understand the buyer’s needs. Start asking your questions and get one step closer to writing those winning proposals today!