Are You Ready to Bid? The Essential Checklist for Health and Social Care Providers

The excitement of discovering the perfect NHS contract or local authority framework can be intoxicating. The potential revenue, service expansion opportunities, and chance to make a genuine difference seem within reach through one successful tender submission.

Yet analysis of unsuccessful health and social care bids reveals a troubling trend: providers entering tender processes before they’re genuinely prepared to compete or deliver. With tender costs averaging £15,000-£25,000 and requiring 200+ hours of senior team time, premature bidding wastes valuable resources and can damage future opportunities.

Before committing to your next tender opportunity, complete this comprehensive readiness assessment. Honest answers will save you from costly mistakes and help identify areas requiring attention before you’re truly competitive.

Financial Readiness Checklist

Cash Flow and Working Capital

• Can you operate for 90 days without payment while mobilising new services?
• Do you have confirmed access to additional working capital if needed?
• Are your current contracts paying on schedule with no outstanding debts?

Insurance and Bonding Capability

• Have you confirmed you can obtain required performance bonds?
• Can you increase professional indemnity insurance to contract requirements?
• Do you have sector-specific insurance (employer’s liability, public liability) at adequate levels?

Financial Track Record

• Do your last three years of accounts show stable or growing turnover?
• Are you free from significant losses or irregular financial performance?
• Can you demonstrate positive cash flow management over extended periods?

Operational Capability Assessment

Current Performance Standards

• Are all existing contracts performing to KPI requirements?
• Do you have fewer than three formal complaints in the last 12 months?
• Are you meeting all current quality and safety standards consistently?

Management and Leadership Capacity

• Can senior management dedicate time to new contract implementation without compromising existing services?
• Do you have identified project management resources for mobilisation?
• Are your quality assurance and client relationship management systems robust?

Staffing and Recruitment Capability

• Can you recruit additional qualified staff within required timescales?
• Do you have low staff turnover (under 20% annually) in similar roles?
• Are current recruitment processes meeting your existing service needs?

Documentation and Compliance Foundations

Essential Policy Documentation

• Are all safeguarding policies current and compliant with latest legislation?
• Do you have comprehensive, up-to-date health and safety procedures?
• Are equality and diversity frameworks properly implemented and documented?
• Is your Business Continuity Plan specific to healthcare service delivery?

Regulatory Compliance

• Do you hold current CQC or NHS registration for relevant services?
• Is your regulatory rating ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ (or can you evidence improvement trajectory)?
• Are all mandatory training requirements met across your workforce?
• Do you have robust clinical governance systems in place?

Quality Management Systems

• Can you demonstrate systematic approach to service improvement?
• Do you have effective incident reporting and management processes?
• Are service user feedback systems established and responsive?

Strategic and Market Readiness

Service Experience and Credibility

• Do you have demonstrable experience delivering similar services?
• Can you provide at least three relevant client references?
• Have you successfully managed contracts of comparable size and complexity?

Local Market Understanding

• Do you understand the commissioner’s specific priorities and challenges?
• Are you familiar with local health economy stakeholders and relationships?
• Can you articulate how your services address local population needs?

Competitive Position Assessment

• Have you identified likely competitors and their strengths/weaknesses?
• Can you clearly differentiate your service offer from alternatives?
• Do you have realistic pricing based on actual delivery costs?

Innovation and Social Value Preparation

Service Development Capability

• Can you demonstrate a track record of service innovation and improvement?
• Do you have systems to measure and report on outcomes achieved?
• Are you able to implement technology solutions to enhance service delivery?

Social Value Commitments

• Can you make specific, measurable commitments to local employment?
• Do you have established relationships with local suppliers and training providers?
• Are you able to demonstrate environmental sustainability measures?

Final Readiness Assessment

Score your readiness:

• All boxes ticked: You’re ready to compete confidently
• 85-95% complete: Address gaps before bidding
• Below 85%: Focus on internal development before pursuing major opportunities

Remember: Being ready to bid means being positioned to win AND deliver successfully. Honest self-assessment prevents costly mistakes and protects your reputation in the competitive health and social care market.

Need objective assessment of your tender readiness? Our bid writing team provides confidential readiness evaluations, helping health and social care providers identify their optimal opportunities and avoid premature risk-taking.