How to Find RFPs (and ITTs) and Actually Win Them — BidScript Style

Learn where to find RFPs and ITTs — and how to win them. This guide shows how bid teams discover the right tenders, access private opportunities, and focus on bids that actually convert.

How to Find RFPs (and ITTs) and Actually Win Them — BidScript Style

Every year, governments and corporates across the UK, US, and beyond channel hundreds of billions through competitive bidding: RFPs, ITTs, RFQs, RFIs, and more. For many organisations, tendering isn’t optional — it’s a core route to growth.

But here’s the truth most blogs skip: finding tenders is easy. Winning them is hard. And most teams fail long before they ever submit a bid — by chasing the wrong opportunities, missing signals, or drowning in noise.

This is your straight‑talking, practical guide to finding the right RFPs and ITTs — and putting yourself in a position to actually win them.

Quickfire Definitions (Because Jargon Still Sucks)

Understanding the language helps you search smarter and qualify faster.

• RFP (Request for Proposal): Common in the US and private sector. Buyers expect detailed technical, commercial, and delivery responses.
• ITT (Invitation to Tender): UK and EU equivalent of an RFP. Formal, structured, and compliance-heavy.
• RFQ (Request for Quotation): Price-led competition for a defined scope.
• RFI (Request for Information): Market research. Not a bid — but often a precursor.
• SQ / PQQ (Selection or Pre‑Qualification Questionnaire): Eligibility filtering stage used before full tenders.

Knowing which document you’re dealing with determines how much effort to invest — and when.

Where to Find RFPs and ITTs

1. RFP & ITT Databases (Free and Paid)

Tender portals exist to aggregate opportunities — but not all are equal. Some are mandatory publication platforms. Others are value‑add aggregators.

UK & Europe

• Contracts Finder
• Find a Tender Service (FTS)
• TED (Tenders Electronic Daily)
• ProContract / Due North
• Delta eSourcing

US & Global

• SAM.gov
• GovWin (Deltek)
• Open Opportunities
• BidNet
• GovSpend
• OpenGov
• FindRFP

Cross‑Border & Aggregators

• TendersDirect
• BidBanana
• MERX (Canada)

The reality: Using multiple portals quickly becomes unmanageable. Duplicate notices, inconsistent data, and missed deadlines are common.

This is why many bid teams now use aggregated tender search tools to centralise discovery.

BidScript’s BidSearch aggregates opportunities from 840+ global data sources into a single searchable platform — reducing noise, duplication, and missed bids while giving teams a structured way to track what matters.

Used properly, aggregation isn’t about volume — it’s about relevance.

2. Manual Search: Still Underrated (If You’re Strategic)

Manual searching is free — and surprisingly effective when targeted.

Useful search strings include:

• "[your industry] ITT site:gov.uk"
• "software RFP 2025 filetype:pdf"
• "digital services tender site:sam.gov"

Also:

• Monitor LinkedIn posts from procurement teams
• Follow consultants and sector specialists
• Search award notices to see who is already winning

Reverse‑engineering buyer behaviour is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your targeting.

Getting Access to Closed and Private Tenders

Many of the most valuable opportunities never hit public portals.

1. Vendor and Supplier Registration

Large buyers operate closed supplier ecosystems. If you’re not registered, you’re invisible.

Examples include:

• NHS Supply Chain
• Network Rail
• Major banks and utilities
• Global corporates with procurement portals

Registration doesn’t win work — but it unlocks invitations.

2. Be Known Before the Tender Drops

Procurement doesn’t happen in isolation. Buyers shortlist familiar, credible suppliers.

To get seen:

• Share concise capability statements
• Highlight sector‑specific experience
• Reference compliance, certifications, and local presence
• Engage procurement early — professionally and respectfully

This is where business development, marketing, and bidding intersect.

3. Build Relationships with Consultants and Brokers

Third‑party advisors often run tenders on behalf of clients. Their incentives are simple: low risk, smooth delivery.

To stay on their radar:

• Send short, relevant introductions
• Tailor credentials to their sectors
• Follow up periodically — without spamming

Trust equals invitations.

Public vs Private Tenders: The Strategic Trade‑Off

Public vs Private Tenders: The Strategic Trade-Off

Open tenders are transparent and often higher value, but they attract heavy competition and tend to involve slower, more compliance-heavy processes.

Closed tenders move faster and involve fewer bidders, but they are harder to access and often require prior relationships or registration.

Hybrid approaches combine controlled competition with selective exposure, but still demand strong positioning and early engagement.

High-performing bid teams don’t rely on a single route. They balance all three approaches depending on sector, timing, and growth goals.

Five Practical Tips for Actually Winning

1. Don’t Bid Everything

Volume doesn’t equal success. Strong teams use go/no‑go criteria based on fit, capacity, and win probability.

2. Shred the Document

Break the tender down. Track every requirement. Map answers to questions. Compliance is table stakes.

3. Engage the Buyer

Clarification questions show professionalism and insight — when used well.

4. Tailor Ruthlessly

Reuse intelligently, not lazily. Winning bids sound inevitable — because they align perfectly with buyer priorities.

5. Follow the Instructions Exactly

Formatting, filenames, declarations, attachments — small errors cause early exits.

How BidScript (and BidSearch) Support Smarter Bidding

Finding tenders is only half the battle. Managing them well is where most teams struggle.

BidScript supports modern bid teams by:

• Centralising opportunity discovery through BidSearch, aggregating 840+ global sources
• Helping teams filter, track, and qualify opportunities early
• Enabling reuse of answers, evidence, and insights across bids
• Reducing admin friction so teams focus on strategy and storytelling

The goal isn’t more bids. It’s better decisions, earlier.

Final Word

If tendering is part of your growth strategy, finding RFPs and ITTs shouldn’t feel chaotic or reactive.

The strongest teams:

• Know where to look
• Know what to ignore
• Prepare before the tender drops
• Invest effort where it counts

That’s the BidScript way.

Want to find better opportunities — and win more of them? Start by changing how you search.