Handling Clarification Requests After a Tender: What to Say and What to Avoid
After you’ve submitted your tender, the commissioner may contact you with clarification questions. These are not a bad sign—in fact, they often indicate you’re being seriously considered. But how you respond can either boost your chances or introduce risk.
💬 What Are Clarification Requests?
Clarification questions are used to resolve minor ambiguities, confirm your intent, or seek further assurance on specific aspects of your bid. They are not an invitation to add new information or rewrite your response. You’re clarifying—not improving.
✅ What You SHOULD Do
- Stick to the question: Be clear, concise, and direct. Avoid offering extra information.
- Check tone and formatting: Maintain a professional, consistent tone—aligned with your original submission.
- Involve the right people: Clarification responses are strategic. Involve your bid lead or senior team.
- Treat it as a final impression: This may be the last thing the panel reads before awarding the contract.
🚫 What to AVOID
- Don't revise your answers: This isn’t an opportunity to improve a weak response. That risks disqualification.
- Don’t include attachments: Unless specifically requested, extra documents may be rejected outright.
- Don’t contradict your original bid: Clarifications must align with what you’ve already submitted.
🧠 Top Tip
If the question reveals that your answer wasn’t clear enough, take that as a lesson for future tenders. But for now, resist the urge to “fix” things—just clarify.
🎯 Final Thought
Clarification questions are your chance to confirm professionalism and reliability. A clear, confident response tells commissioners that you're capable and consistent—even under pressure.
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Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)