Tender Program Development and Bid Support

Tender program development is the preparation of the schedule and supporting evidence behind a construction or mining bid. A compliant, logic-linked program shows the client the work can be delivered in the time available. A strong one goes further: it shows the resourcing is feasible, the method is sound and the commercial position stacks up. Project Scheduling prepares complete tender programs and the full bid-support package for contractors across Australia.

One Program, Two Stages

The program that wins the work is the program the project is measured against. Once the contract is awarded, the tender program becomes the baseline program: held under change control, updated on actual progress and used to assess every delay and claim. We build the tender program with that in mind, so the sequence you bid is a sequence your team can deliver.

More Than a Bar Chart

Most bids include a program because the tender demands one. Few use it to strengthen the submission. A program that only satisfies a checklist tells the client nothing about whether you can deliver. Built properly, it shows a logic-linked critical path, credible durations, realistic resourcing and a clear method, and it gives your estimators the cost and cashflow shape to price with confidence.

What a Tender Program Includes

Your tender program is the anchor. Around it sits everything that makes the bid deliverable:

• Compliant tender program in Primavera P6, or Microsoft Project where preferred, structured to the bill of quantities trade sections, with full activity logic and a traceable critical path

• Schedule quality assessed against the DCMA 14-point metrics (logic, float, constraints and critical path integrity) and corrected before submission, so it stands up to client and third-party review

• Draft estimate and benchmark-based resourcing, built from Australian mining and civil norms and comparable project data where your own figures are not yet available

• Resource histograms and S-curves identifying peak crew and equipment demand, so resourcing feasibility is clear before you commit

• Cost and claim forecast showing the approval, budget and cash position across the job: cash peaks, working-capital exposure and claim opportunities before you commit

• Constructability review and methodology statement supporting the program sequence

• Procurement windows for subcontract award, major plant and long-lead items, tied to the approvals and funding that release them

• Project-specific calendars reflecting the working week, site hours and any seasonal allowances

• Interfaces to works by others shown in the program

• Basis of Schedule setting out calendars, sequence logic, assumptions and the critical path

• Native program file for you to run and update in-house, plus a submission-ready PDF Gantt

Built to Your Tender Deadline

Tenders close on a fixed date. You get the package well ahead of it, with time to review and secure management sign-off. An early draft comes first, built on proven benchmarks and your own figures where you have them, to confirm the approach. Once you have verified it, the final submission-ready package is prepared well ahead of the deadline.

Sector-Specific and Delivered Directly

Our project scheduling consultants work across mining, heavy industrial, civil, infrastructure and commercial construction tenders. The work is delivered directly by a senior scheduler, so your program reflects your method and your market, not a generic template.

Know your exposure before the tender goes in, and bid on a program your team can deliver.