What Counts as Evidence in a Tender? (More Than You Think)
When it comes to writing tenders, many social care providers worry they don’t have enough “evidence.” But in reality, most have more than they think — they just haven’t named it, gathered it, or used it confidently.
Commissioners don’t just want promises. They want proof. And that doesn’t have to mean a shelf full of external audits. It can be everyday, lived evidence — if you know how to present it well.
✅ What Really Counts as Evidence?
Here’s a quick-fire list of things that genuinely count as evidence in social care tenders:
- Service user feedback — verbal or written
- Family testimonials — especially those linked to outcomes
- Staff supervision and appraisal records
- Outcomes tracking or support plan reviews
- Compliments logs or compliments folders
- Incident reports and follow-up actions
- Photographs (with consent) showing activities, progress or engagement
- Informal commissioner praise — e.g. emails, meeting notes
- Training logs and CPD records
- Internal audits or spot checks — even if basic
All of these are credible forms of evidence — even if they’re not ‘formal’ research or inspection reports. And when used well, they can help you demonstrate impact, consistency, and person-centredness.
📌 Don’t Let Perfection Get in the Way of Progress
Waiting until you have a glossy impact report or a full CQC Outstanding rating is a mistake. Use what you have. Build from there. Often, smaller providers with strong relationships and a personal touch can present extremely powerful evidence — it just needs surfacing.
What you say must be believable. But what you show will always land better.
💡 Start Noticing Your Evidence Now
Take 10 minutes this week to jot down:
- Recent compliments you’ve received
- Times you’ve made a measurable difference to someone’s life
- Changes made from staff or service user feedback
This will make tender writing faster, richer, and more competitive when the next opportunity comes along.
💼 Rapid Support Products (fast turnaround options)
- ⚡ 48-Hour Tender Triage
- 🆘 Bid Rescue Session – 60 minutes
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- 🧩 Tender Answer Blueprint
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- 🔍 Pre-Tender Readiness Audit
- 📁 Tender Document Review
🚀 Need a Bid Writing Quote?
If you’re exploring support for an upcoming tender or framework, request a quick, no-obligation quote. I’ll review your documents and respond with:
- A clear scope of work
- Estimated days required
- A fixed fee quote
- Any risks, considerations or quick wins
🔁 Prefer Flexible Monthly Support?
If you regularly handle tenders, frameworks or call-offs, a Monthly Bid Support Retainer may be a better fit.
- Guaranteed hours each month (1, 2, 4 or 8 days)
- Discounted day rates vs ad-hoc consultancy
- Use time flexibly across bids, triage, library updates, renewals
- One-month rollover (fair-use rules applied)
- Cancel anytime before next billing date
🚀 Ready to Win Your Next Bid?
Chat on WhatsApp or email Mike.Harrison@impact-guru.co.uk
Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)