Assessing whether your product or service is aligned with what Government is looking to buy can be very difficult to determine upfront, particularly if you have had a limited opportunity to engage directly with Government buyers.

Reviewing past tenders on the SA Tenders and Contracts website can be one way to understand what Government has required previously and whether your business is a good fit for these requirements.

However, markets change and products and services evolve, so relying on past tenders alone may not allow your business to fully assess its ability to supply to Government. Ongoing engagement with Government buyers is the best way to understand and influence future tender requirements.

Can your business meet the requirements?

Understanding the Government’s requirements is only one part of the equation. Assessing your business’ ability to meet these requirements is equally important. Consider:

• How much will your product or service need to be modified to meet Government’s requirements?
• Does your product or service meet any required industry certifications or standards?
• Do you have relevant examples or case studies to include in your bid highlighting how you can meet the requirements of Government?
• What do your competitors offer and how does your product or service compare?
• If you lack the scale to take on the whole contract, can you consider sub-contracting to the lead supplier?