Cover letters should be the last thing you think about when you're completing your tender. But yours will probably be the first thing the evaluation panel reads when they start looking at your tender.
It helps to set the scene about your business and why you are a good fit for the tender requirements. And in a sea of competitive bids, it may well also be another reason for the tender team to keep reading.
Usually, when I'm writing a tender response submission, I'll do a nice cover page and then put the cover letter immediately after that (before the response schedule cover page). That way it's pretty hard to miss, and I use it as an opportunity to highlight the benefits you would bring to the contract.
Here's what I almost always include:
A reference to the submission.
An overview of the business.
A paragraph relating to relevant experience.
Health, safety, quality, and environmental practices and approaches.
What sets the business apart from its competitors.
An overview of what's included in the submission (useful if you have lots of Appendices and supporting information).
A note confirming you are committed to making the contract a success for the tender issuer, your business and stakeholders.
You should write your cover letter on the company letterhead and have it signed by the most senior person in the organisation. It should be no more than two pages maximum. Also, if the tender documentation provides details of the person to send the submission to, address it to that person, but if no details are provided, address it to the Tender Evaluation Team.
A Note from Pauline
If you need a hand with your tender submissions or cover letters, remember I'm here to help. From developing your tender response from scratch through to reviewing your submission and offering suggestions to improve it, I'm always happy to assist.
Just shoot me an email at pauline@tenderwise.com.au, give me a call at 0400 514 579, or fill out this form. A chat costs you nothing and might be just the boost you need to start winning more tenders.