Which sections should a methodology cover?
Use the tender's requested headings first. Where the pack is open, a useful structure is work sequence, resources and interfaces, quality controls, safety controls, programme, commissioning and handover.
| Section | Answer | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | What will be done | Scope and programme |
| Interfaces | Who coordinates what | Responsibility map |
| Quality | How work is checked | ITP or inspection plan |
| Commissioning | How evidence is assembled | Test and handover list |
| Risk | What remains open | Register and owner |
Sources: UK Cabinet Office: The Construction Playbook, Acquisition.gov: Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 15
How should claims be supported?
Link each claim to an approved policy, project example, procedure or named input. A methodology should describe the proposed controls, not imply experience or certification that has not been verified.
- Use approved terminology
- Separate commitment from assumption
- Route technical claims to review
- Use synthetic examples only when labelled
- Remove unsupported proof
What does a good review ask?
Ask whether the response answers the question, matches the scope, assigns responsibility, states dependencies and can be delivered within the proposed plan. The reviewer should also check that response headings match the scoring structure.
Sources: Australian Government Department of Finance: Commonwealth Procurement Rules, Acquisition.gov: Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 15
Common questions
What else should the bid team know?
Can a bid writer invent a capability claim?
No. Every credential, project example, statistic and promise needs an approved source. Unsupported claims should be left out or added to the open questions list.
Who approves the technical response?
The responsible engineer or technical lead approves technical content. The bid writer controls structure, clarity and response compliance.
Does a response template guarantee compliance?
No. The issued tender, addenda and approval record control the final submission.
Primary sources
- Commonwealth Procurement RulesAustralian Government Department of Finance
- The Construction PlaybookUK Cabinet Office
- Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 15Acquisition.gov