Yes, it still happens. Every. Humbug. Year.
I’ve already had a good public moan about this on LinkedIn and Instagram this year when Contracting Authorities hit Mozer’s clients with more summer deadlines than I’ve ever seen in my 15 years in bids. It’s hard enough to juggle childcare, work deadlines, and attempt a family holiday over summer when everyone is taking time off at different points. But Christmas? This time of year offers the best chance at a genuine break whilst everyone else in the Western world is doing the same thing.
Why Contracting Authorities do this to us
Is it because their own timetables have shifted, and they must turn it around by a critical date? Are they testing bidders to see who wants the contract the most? Yep, an international Contracting Authority actually said this to one of our well-known architect clients! Or is it just thoughtlessness?
And the Monday deadlines
Earlier this year, I had a chat with a Project Manager at a national consultancy that runs procurements processes, and he said, “If I set a Friday deadline, I’m not going to open it until Monday anyway, so I might as well give bidders a few more days”. Nice thought, but that means bidders are working their weekends. And if you’re working in bids for a living, it means you nearly always work your weekends. Blame Parkinson’s Law where “work expands to fill the time available until the completion date”. If you have a week to turn something around, you do it. If you get an extension for a week, you’ll fill it. I appealed to the Project Manager to move them to Fridays. We don’t need the extra few days; we need weekends to switch off from work.
How to ask for an extension
Here’s some text you can cut and paste into a clarification box for your Christmas bid deadlines. Make the request early. An organised ask and (with a bit of luck) anyone with a bit of Christmas spirit (and sense!) should understand – especially if they want to keep you in the running.
As the submission deadline is in the Christmas break period, members of our team will be taking their annual leave. We want to be able to honour this and let them spend time with their families whilst balancing our commitment to presenting the best possible submission to you. Would it be possible to extend the deadline to the third week of January to allow us to do this?
So, public sector clients, please plan your procurement timetable better, and put an end to 2nd January deadlines!
Alison Zalecki
Since 2009, Alison has been helping companies to win more business. She has led successful deals from £50k - £1.2b across the public and private sector with an 80% success rate. As the Managing Director of Mozer, she works with SMEs through to global brands in Professional Services, Real Estate, Development, Construction, Sports and Legal.
