Procurement analytics guide
How to spot a tender tailored to one supplier
It is frustrating to spend a day preparing a bid and lose because the tender was written for a competitor from the start. Some of these tenders can be identified in advance by telltale signs.
Overly narrow requirements
When the technical specification describes a product down to a rare model, or a combination of characteristics that only one manufacturer offers, that is a red flag. A legitimate requirement describes a need, not a specific part number.
A short submission deadline
A minimal time to prepare a bid favors whoever prepared in advance, meaning whoever knew about the procurement. If a complex subject is put out with a minimal window, take a closer look.
Repeat contracts with one winner
If a buyer purchases the same thing year after year and the same company wins every time with minimal competition, the tender history shows it. One or two cases are noise; a pattern is a signal.
Assessment before bidding
Put these signs together, meaning the requirements, the deadline, the buyer's history and the level of competition, and you can estimate your chances before spending time on a bid. It is not a verdict, but a reason to weigh your decision.
Assess a tender before you bid
Metadani procurement analytics shows the buyer's history, the level of competition and signs of a tailored tender, so you can decide with confidence.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions about rigged tenders
Do narrow requirements always mean collusion?
No. Sometimes the need really is specific. The signs are a reason to look closer, not a ready-made conclusion, and they should be assessed together.
Where does the buyer history data come from?
From open data of Prozorro and European sources: who bought, who won, how many bidders took part and at what discount.
What should I do if a tender looks tailored?
Weigh your chances and, if needed, ask the buyer a question during the clarification stage, or challenge the terms if they violate the rules.