- Technical bids are scored against written criteria — write to the criteria, not for impressions.
- A generic company profile does not replace a project-specific method.
- CVs and past projects need evidence, not descriptions.
- A final checklist review prevents most exclusions.
In many tenders, the technical proposal decides who even qualifies to compete on price. Yet simple mistakes keep costing companies opportunities that were within reach. Here are the mistakes we see most often when reviewing bids, with a practical way to avoid each one.
1. Ignoring the technical evaluation criteria
The booklet usually sets out the evaluation criteria and their weights: method, past experience, staffing, programme and so on. A proposal that doesn't follow them forces the committee to hunt for information it may not find. Fix: structure the proposal with headings that mirror the criteria, and open with a table showing where each criterion is answered.
2. A generic method copied from an old project
Copied methods are easy to spot: another entity's name, works outside the scope, or steps that don't suit the site. Fix: write the method from this scope — how you will deliver this project specifically, what its particular risks are, and how you will handle them.
3. An unrealistic programme
A programme shorter than is reasonable, or one that doesn't reflect the sequence of works, raises doubts about whether the bidder understands the project. Fix: build it on the main activities and their logical sequence, including approval and procurement periods, within the duration set in the booklet.
4. CVs that don't meet the requirements
If the booklet asks for an engineer with specific experience, a generic CV or less experience than required means lost points or exclusion. Fix: match each required role with a CV that proves years of experience and similar projects, attaching certificates and Saudi Council of Engineers accreditation where requested.
5. Past projects without evidence
A long list of project names without completion certificates or client letters doesn't convince a committee. Fix: choose the projects closest to the tender and attach proof for each: the contract, completion certificate or client letter.
6. Proposed specifications that fall short
Offering a material or item below the required specification, or from a manufacturer the booklet doesn't accept, can make the bid non-compliant. Fix: prepare a compliance table placing the required and proposed specification side by side for each main item, with the reference catalogue.
7. Last-minute procedural errors
A corrupted file, an attachment in the wrong field, an unsigned form, or the financial offer inside the technical file. Fix: a final checklist review a day before the deadline by someone who didn't write the proposal.
A strong technical proposal answers one question: why are we the best placed to deliver this particular project?
FAQ
What's the difference between exclusion and losing points?
Exclusion follows a breach of a mandatory requirement, such as a core document or essential specification. Lost points come from a weak response to an evaluation criterion without breaching a mandatory condition.
How long should a technical proposal be?
There's no ideal length. What matters is covering every criterion clearly and concisely; a short, organised proposal beats a long one that's hard to navigate.
Can we propose alternatives to the required specifications?
Only if the booklet allows alternatives, and the alternative is equal or better with evidence. Otherwise, stick to the required specification.
Engineers and specialists in government tenders, technical office, MEP and central HVAC, with more than 15 years in the Saudi market.
