The Case of the Duplicate Question
After you’re done being frustrated, here is how you answer multiple questions that are all the same.
At some point during your bidding life, you will undoubtedly mutter the phrase “you’ve got to be KIDDING, I’ve already answered this damn question” under your breath.
This is usually followed by a dramatic walk to the coffee machine telling anyone who will listen that the people who put together the tender request are clearly nutjobs. Frustrating as it may be, remember this:
ALWAYS:
Answer the question in full where it is asked. Always.
NEVER:
Respond with “Please refer to our answer in question x on page x”
Why? Just as tender responses are not always written by one person, they are equally not always read by one person. This means that your bid could be split up among several people for assessment.
Imagine now you are the reader, and you are being asked to refer to the answer to a question that you don’t actually have. Do you think you might walk dramatically to the coffee machine telling everyone who will listen that you wish bidders would just answer each question properly? Probably.
Don’t make it harder for your reader than it already is, remember, they’re the ones dishing out the work.
Happy bidding!
