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Government & Procurement

A Tender Can Be Lost Because of an Administrative Mistake

A business can have the right product, the right price and the ability to deliver — and still have its bid rejected for failing to meet a mandatory submission requirement, such as a specific form, declaration, signature or supporting document.

Government procurement is heavily document-driven, and entrepreneurs sometimes concentrate on writing a persuasive proposal while overlooking a mandatory form or attachment. In procurement, compliance with the instructions is part of the competition itself.

Source: National Treasury procurement guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a missing document cause a tender to fail?

Yes, if the document is a mandatory requirement.

Should businesses submit extra documents that weren't requested?

Not necessarily — businesses should follow the tender instructions carefully rather than adding unrequested material.

What's the safest approach before submitting a tender?

Create a checklist from the tender requirements and verify every mandatory item before submission.

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