Finance & supply chain · Short course
Bid Committees
The responsibilities, decision processes and records associated with bid committees.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
The responsibilities, decision processes and records associated with bid committees.
The programme brings together committee structure, specifications, evaluation and decision records. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A bid committee must evaluate a submission consistently and keep a defensible decision record. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Bid committee members, procurement practitioners and secretariat staff.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Map committee responsibilities and decision boundaries.
- Review a fictional specification for clarity and evaluability.
- Apply stated evaluation criteria to a sample submission.
- Draft a recommendation showing the evidence behind the committee’s decision.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Committee structure
This part of the programme examines committee structure, with attention to roles and decision responsibilities. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Roles.
- Decision responsibilities.
- Applied work: map committee responsibilities and decision boundaries.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map committee responsibilities and decision boundaries. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Specifications
This part of the programme examines specifications, with attention to defining needs and evaluation requirements. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Defining needs.
- Evaluation requirements.
- Applied work: review a fictional specification for clarity and evaluability.
Illustrative practical exercise
Review a fictional specification for clarity and evaluability. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Evaluation
This part of the programme examines evaluation, with attention to consistent consideration of submitted bids. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Consistent consideration of submitted bids.
- Applying published criteria consistently to the information in a submission.
- Recording uncertainty or missing information without inventing evidence for a bidder.
- Applied work: apply stated evaluation criteria to a sample submission.
Illustrative practical exercise
Apply stated evaluation criteria to a sample submission. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Decision records
This part of the programme examines decision records, with attention to recommendations, accountability and confidentiality. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Recommendations.
- Accountability.
- Confidentiality.
- Applied work: draft a recommendation showing the evidence behind the committee’s decision.
Illustrative practical exercise
Draft a recommendation showing the evidence behind the committee’s decision. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A bid committee must evaluate a submission consistently and keep a defensible decision record. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.