The informative articles in Bidding Quarterly 3, 15 and 23 gave us great background to AI in bidding. In my applications of AI, using Blue Edge AI (bid-specific platform), ChatGPT, and Copilot, I’ve benefited from rapid bid document interrogation and subject matter research. Using AI on some of my clients’ bids (always inside non-disclosure boundaries), I’ve gained thinking time during proposal planning, production, editing and review.
Two examples:
- Interrogating bid documents
Interrogating documents for a transport-sector bid helped me collate client priorities, parameters influencing service performance, and bid assessment criteria. Rapid capture of requirements in a single summary avoided lengthy trawling of documentation. The information at a glance supported my sustained focus on developing and applying win themes, providing a basis for discussion of key points with the team and for adapting contributions from subject matter experts (SMEs). The collation of important points also served as a ‘So What?’ test against which to challenge technical statements for benefits to the procuring client. This included applying language in the bid documents, particularly about service reliability and asset durability, to ensure direct relevance to the procuring client’s priorities. Having the information available quickly and being able to rerun document analysis using different prompts, I gained rich detail and avoided lengthy reading and manual note-taking. I checked samples of statements about client priorities to ensure they contained no hallucinated output.
- More detailed understanding of technical processes
I enjoy self-learning about technologies, alongside targeted follow-ups with SMEs, such as on recent bids based heavily on industrial processes. I first explored the processes and industry practices generically to avoid risk of specifics about the bids and clients being used to train the generative model. Then I flagged points for informed bid-specific discussion with SMEs as part of response planning. The bid-specific aspects were cost, programme and associated innovations, risks and opportunities. An SME new to bidding said he appreciated targeted questions because they helped him better understand the thinking behind bid writing and made most efficient use of his limited time. Essentially, I was helping him to help me…to help the bid.
Reflections… and where next?
So the benefit of AI hasn’t been just speed. The strengths have included better supported questions, challenging of ideas, and sustained focus on bid priorities. I’m excited to see what’s next, knowing my ongoing AI journey will continue to provide important lessons. The value of AI tools in buying back thinking time is clear, and it’s equally clear that personal interventions remain essential as we apply our experience in bidding.
Holger Garden
Holger is a bid manager and writer, and a personal/ team performance coach. He spends most of his time supporting construction clients bidding for civil infrastructure and building projects, but his transferable skills have led to his work in the medical, charity and security arenas also. He works with businesses of all sizes to help them win more work.
