The edge in grants game

THERE are a plethora of govenment grants available to help businesses with everything from marketing, to staff development and export growth.
Here are some tips on making sure your grant application has the best possible chance of success.
1. Read the question carefully
Thoroughly read each tender question, highlight the core requirements and underline each of the supporting requirements. Read each question within the context of the evaluation criteria and specifications (Part A: The Invitation).
2. Respond in full to the question
You should:
ensure that each requirement of the question is addressed
provide evidence of relevant, recent experience (i.e. no more than three years old) and demonstrate capabilities
demonstrate an understanding of the product or service required
demonstrate that you are in a unique position to provide the service
differentiate your service offering.
3. Don’t assume government knows of you
Address each question as if your capabilities, strengths, people and other resources are unknown to the evaluator.
You should:
describe your methodologies and approaches in detail
describe reference projects or sites in detail and state how this is relevant to the requirements of the tender (Specifications); don’t rely on past experience without describing it in a tender
describe how your resources are appropriate for the job.
4. Target your referees/references
You should:
highlight key requirements documented in the tender for a written reference
provide references relating directly to the key requirements of the tender
ensure that each key capability criteria listed in the Evaluation Criteria and Specifications is addressed across the references you have provided.
5. Embrace duplication
Answer each question in full, even if it seems repetitive. Do not cut and paste from one answer to another. Instead, use the repetition to reinforce required experience and capabilities.
Respond consistently, accurately and completely to every question.
6. Remember customer service counts
Customer Service Proposals (CSPs) differentiate your response and can generate large variations in scoring. Tenderers may share the same capabilities but not all put effort into CSPs. Provide detailed and comprehensive CSPs.
7. Offer value-added initiatives
Differentiate a tender response using value-added initiatives which:
relate to the requirements of the tender
are a product or service valued by Government
may be delivered by the contractor without cost or resource impacts.
8. Understand Government’s key policy requirements
Understand the key procurement policies that apply and relate to current and prospective bidders including:
Probity (under the Market Approach Policy)
Market Approach Policy
Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP)
Disclosure of Contracts (under the Contracts Management and Contracts Disclosure Policy)
Tender Complaints Management (under the Governance Policy)
Performance and Financial Guarantees.
9. Submit a complete response
Make sure you’ve completed every area by checking it off on a checklist. Use our Checklist: Completing a government tender.
10. Respond on time
Late tenders will not be accepted, unless there is conclusive evidence that the late lodgement of the Tender:
resulted from the mishandling of the Tender by the Department
was hindered by a major incident and the integrity of the selection process will not be compromised by accepting applications after the due date.
For more information go to www.business.vic.gov.au