We speak with business leaders and operators on a day to day basis and one of the questions we are asked regularly is "Do we really need policy documents when completing tenders?" Our response is simple, you should have them for your business and NOT just to respond to or participate in the tendering process. Policy Documents are usually considered "Statements of Intent" or "Commitments" for how the business, its employees, its contractors, its sub-contractors, its supply chain operate. Usually any policy documents are managed by a senior member of staff (Director/Partner/Owner) and that they are responsible for cascading, updating, monitoring and reviewing those documents. We are often asked which Policy Documents are needed when responding to tenders. The following list is a guide. It is not always a requirement to possess these documents, but it is becoming expected more and more.
Furniture tender
Construction / Plumbing / Electrical tender
If in doubt contact us. We are able to help you with your Policy Writing / Policy Preparation
Blogger: Paul Tute BA(Hons) MBCS FCMI
Boomerang Consultancy Limited has UKAS Certification for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
www.boomerangconsultancy.com
- Equality and Diversity Policy / Statement
- Business Continuity Policy / Statement (Usually includes Disaster Recovery)
- Quality Policy / Statement
- Environmental Policy / Statement
- Corporate and Social Responsibility Policy / Statement
- Health and Safety Policy / Statement
- HR Handbook / Policy (including recruitment, disciplinary, grievance policies)
- Anti-Slavery Policy
- Insurance Policy Documents / Certificate
- Data Protection Policy
- Contractor Selection / Management Policy
- Fleet Management policy
- IT Security Policy
- Social Media Policy
- Writing the policy to suit the tender
- Use a standard template downloaded from the internet
- Many believe a policy should be several pages long
- A Business makes out they do something that they do not actually do
- They do not realise and you continue on with the misleading information you have submitted
- They do realise and your tender response is rejected – it may seem petty but in effect, you have lied on an official document. Environmental issues may be more important to one organisation than another.
- Document what you really do
- Keep it simple – Documentation should be clear, concise and relevant to your business
- Ensure you keep the policy documents up to date
- Have an owner to manage, maintain and monitor
- Review the documents regularly and ensure they develop with the business
- Cascade the documents within the team
- Get each team member to sign a front sheet to show they have read and understood the policy
- Don’t fabricate
- Don’t Lie
- Don’t mislead
- Don’t pretend
Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery | Equality and Diversity |
Quality | Environmental |
ISO 27001 | ISO 22301 |
ISO 14001 | ISO 20000 |
CSR | Anti Slavery Policy |
Quality | Environmental |
Business Continuity | Health and Safety |
ISO 9001 | ISO 14001 |
Equality and Diversity | ISO 22301 |
CSR | Anti Slavery |
Corporate and Social Responsibility | Environmental |
Health and Safety | Quality |
Equality and Diversity | Employment |
ISO 45001 | ISO 9001 |
Safecontractor | CHAS |
CSR | Anti Slavery |