(Name of your organisation)

(Specific business area/nature of project)

Tendering Brief

This document is intended to give potential advisors enough information to enable them to
tender for the work identified. Following the selection process based on the advisors’ tenders,
(your organisation) and the chosen advisers will jointly produce the final brief and contract.

1. Purpose of project

1.1 The overall purpose of this project is to (describe overall purpose eg to develop a
marketing plan or undertake an organisational review)

2. Objectives of the project

2.1 Identify broad overall objectives. For example …

2.2 Review current X strategy

2.3 Meet key individuals

2.4 Make recommendations (specify what it is you want recommendations on)

3. Background Information

3.1 Describe the nature of your organisation, its purpose or mission and main aims and
objectives.

3.2 Summarise when your organisation was established and its background since this time.

3.3 Describe how your organisation is structured, staffed and governed.

3.4 Give some context to what has led the organisation to consider developing in the way
proposed and why specialist advice is needed.

4. Precise nature of the project

4.1 Provide specific details of what is required from prospective advisors. For
example …

4.2 Review certain documentation and test any major assumptions

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 4.3 Consult with certain identified others such as current and potential
stakeholders/partners

4.4 Assist in prioritising specific activities

4.5 Analyse certain systems

4.6 Report on findings (say who report should be made to)

4.7 State what specific recommendations are sought (eg on a new staffing structure,
a fundraising strategy, a development plan or specific operational systems)

5. Resources Available

5.1 State what resources the organisation can provide to assist the selected
advisor/consultant in carrying out the work. For example, …

5.2 Access to specific records and systems

5.3 Access to current plans

5.4 Any administrative or other staffing resource

6. Results

6.1 Set out what specific outcomes you expect at the conclusion of the consultancy
period. For example …

6.2 A written report – state if you need a set number of copies, specify what the report should
contain

6.3 A verbal report and presentation to key staff (you may want a progress report presented
to your board or senior staff)

7. Timescale

7.1 State clearly what your expectations are in this respect. If you need the work concluded
by a certain date, this should be clearly stated.

8. Budget

8.1 State clearly what budget is available, indicating whether VAT is inclusive or exclusive to
the stated maximum fee and what allowances are made for expenses. For example …

8.2 A fee of up to £X amount inclusive of VAT, plus up to £X amount expenses.

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8.2 Give an estimate of how many days work you envisage being involved.

9. Selection

9.1 Detail the steps of the selection process that apply. For example …

9.2 Written tenders should be submitted to (named individual) at (your organisation) by no

later than (submission date).

9.2 State if you plan to select your chosen advisor through an interview. If possible state
what date you plan to hold interviews and the location they will be held in.

9.3 Provide a contact point within your organisation so that potential advisors can discuss the
brief before submitting a tender.

9.4 State how many copies of the tender you need candidates to submit and any instructions
for addressing the brief. For example …

• Your overall comments on the brief

• the experience and qualifications you have which make you the ideal adviser for
this brief
• how you would approach the work
• names of those working on the project
• detailed fees; and
• the names/contact numbers of at least two relevant referees.

9.5 The selection process is to choose an adviser or advisers with whom your organisation
can work. It is good practice to agree jointly on the final brief and contract following the
selection process. You should, therefore, conclude the brief with a statement to this
effect.

10. Specification

10.1 Set out the essential requirements you have of your chosen advisor in terms of skills,
experience and expertise.

10.2 Set out the desirable requirements you have of your chosen advisor in terms of skills,
experience and expertise.