Having previously Tendered for Semi state bodies unsucessfully I have rang them to find how out what I did wrong generally they give you good feed back which can lead to sucess with future tenders.Also it might do no harm to speak to a Tender Specialist for advice
You can request a scoring sheet for most projects that you tender for... or some actually issue these when they are informing you that you are unsuccessful... there may be a time limit on when you can request your scoring...
And of course it being Ireland and the land of brown envelopes and who you know....
I'm sure there is a procedure to find out why you were not successful, but you will probably get a standard reply and it will outline commercial confidentiality as a reason for you not finding out the reason. It can also be that your bid wasn't good enough.
The semi-state concerned is Bus Eireann.
Bus Eireann sub-contract some of the school transport scheme to private operators.
Since 2009 a new tender process has been put in place to allow private operators secure routes for periods up to 5 years.
My issue relates to the transparency of this tender system.
I have been unable to retain the contracts I already had under the old system and I have been unable to win any new contracts. This has been the case since 2009 when the new tender process was introduced.
How can I improve my tender application if I do not know where my applications are failing. I cannot get a response from the local Bus Eireann offices.
Obviously bottom line price is crucial but surely there are other considerations that need to be taken into account (Management Systems/ Business Viability/ Security/ Performance to Date/ Driver Training/ Vehicle Maintenance Systems/ Regulatory Approval etc....).
The trend seems to be to award contracts to single owner/driver operations and if it continues my fleet will be up for sale by next Sept.
AOC:
You mention that I can request a scoresheet. From whom would I request this?
Is this an on-line system? Did you get an "Information for Tenderers" pack?
I know there are some private sector companies who specialise in helping companies engaging in the public procurement process with a view to winning tenders.
This was an off-line system.
I got the information pack but I dont see anything in it to help me.
The only response I can get is "Your tender was not the most economically advantageous - Response not as competitive"