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Resource5 min read

The Ultimate Government Tender Checklist (Free Download)

S
Sarah Jenkins, Head of Bids
Jan 12, 2026

Missing a single mandatory requirement is the #1 reason for automatic disqualification in public sector tenders. Use this 50-point checklist before you submit.

1. Mandatory Compliance Checks

  • Deadline Verification: Have you double-checked the submission time zone? (e.g., 12:00 PM vs 12:00 AM)
  • Format Requirements: Is your font size, margin, and file format (PDF/Word) exactly as specified?
  • declaration Signatures: Are all exclusion grounds and anti-collusion forms signed by a director?
  • Pass/Fail Criteria: Do you meet the minimum financial turnover and insurance levels?

2. The "Hidden" Killers

Most bids fail not because of price, but because of "technical non-compliance".

  • Social Value: Did you answer the "Social Value" question (10% weight) regarding local employment?
  • GDPR/Cyber Essentials: Is your ISO 27001 certificate valid and attached?
  • Word Counts: Did you stay within the limit? (Evaluators often stop reading after the limit).

Pro Tip: Use AI to Scan for "Shall" vs "Should"

Lucius AI automatically extracts every "MUST", "SHALL", and "REQUIRED" clause from the tender document so you never miss a mandatory requirement.

3. Final Polish

  • Filenames: Are files named clearly? (e.g., "Company_Methodology_Q1.pdf" vs "Draft_final_v2.pdf")
  • Clarifications: Have you checked the portal for last-minute TQ (Tender Query) responses?