What Commissioners Look for in a High-Scoring Answer

📘 Blog 4 of 7 in our Tender Review Series
What Commissioners Look for in a High-Scoring Answer

Links to all 7 blogs in this series are at the bottom of this post.


🎯 It’s Not About Being “Well Written”

We’ve seen it time and again: a well-written tender that still scores low.

Why? Because scoring high isn’t about polished language — it’s about fully meeting the evaluation criteria. A focused tender proofreading & strategic review helps ensure every mark scheme element is covered.

Commissioners aren't looking for your best writing. They're looking for:

  • Direct answers to each part of the question
  • Clear alignment with the service specification
  • Evidence that your approach is already in place, not just a plan
  • Measurable outcomes that prove your impact

Miss those elements — even with perfect grammar — and your score drops.


🔍 What We Review Against

When we review tenders, we don’t just scan for typos. We interrogate your content like a commissioner would:

  • Have you answered every part of the question?
  • Are you reflecting the local authority’s values and priorities?
  • Is your response too general — or clearly tailored?
  • Are you making claims or backing them up?
  • Have you fully addressed the scoring criteria?

Sometimes a good answer needs clearer structure. Sometimes it needs more evidence. Sometimes it just needs to lose the fluff.


🛠 A Tender Review Can Help You Refocus

If you’ve poured effort into writing, it’s hard to step back. A second pair of eyes can show you what’s actually scoring points — and what isn’t.

We apply a fresh, objective lens focused on what commissioners care about most:

  • Specificity over generic statements
  • Clarity over ambition
  • Substance over style

That’s how we help social care providers turn “good” responses into “winning” ones — whether it’s a learning disability tender, a domiciliary care bid, or a home care submission.


📣 Want expert eyes on your bid?

We offer strategic tender reviews that go far beyond spelling and grammar.

📞 Contact us here
Let’s make sure your bid is submission-ready — and scoring-ready.


🔗 Related Resources


📚 Catch up on the full Tender Review Series:


Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers

Visit impact-guru.co.uk to browse downloadable strategies, method statements, or get in touch about tender support.

⬅️ Return to Knowledge Hub Index

🔗 Useful Tender Resources

Explore more guides, tools, and services to strengthen your next bid:

✍️ Service support:

🔍 Quality boost:

🎯 Level up:

📦 Toolkits & bundles:

🧭 Browse related articles: