Which stages should be separated?
Keep writing, technical approval, commercial approval and file assembly distinct. This makes it easier to see whether a sentence is a draft, an approved commitment or an open assumption.
| Stage | Output | Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Extract | Requirement register | Sources confirmed |
| Outline | Response structure | Headings approved |
| Draft | Working answer | Evidence linked |
| Review | Comments and approvals | Owners closed |
| Assemble | Final files | Submission check |
How should evidence be collected?
Use an evidence register with source, owner, permission to publish and response locations. Leave out unsupported statistics, credentials, examples and promises.
- Approved source
- Permission or status
- Response location
- Reviewer
- Expiry or update need
What should happen when reviewers disagree?
Record the issue, source and decision owner. Do not edit the response to hide a material technical or commercial disagreement.
Common questions
What else should the bid team know?
What should a response writing process include?
It should separate extraction, outline, drafting, review, approval and final assembly.
Who reviews a response writing process?
The bid manager controls gates, with each specialist approving their own content.
Can a response template replace the issued tender?
No. The issued request and addenda control the final submission.
Primary sources
- Commonwealth Procurement RulesAustralian Government Department of Finance
- The Construction PlaybookUK Cabinet Office
- Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 15Acquisition.gov