Preferred tenderer
A preferred tenderer is a prospective supplier who has been chosen on a provisional basis by a client as the party to carry out works or supply goods or services. Their selection is conditional upon the outcome of further negotiations after which the appointment may be confirmed.
Following an Invitation to Tender (ITT) in a traditional, single-stage process, prospective suppliers prepare and submit their tenders. From these, the client (perhaps acting on the recommendations of its consultants) selects the tenderer with the best potential suited to the particular project. This will be based on what the design team feels most closely meets its client’s expectations in terms of price, construction methodology, past work and their available labour resource. In addition to comparing tenders, interviews may be set up to garner further information from the applicants prior to reaching a decision.
The supplier eventually chosen by this method is called the ‘preferred tenderer’. They are called ‘preferred’ because at this stage it is not certain that they will be appointed to the project. Preferred tenderers usually have to enter into further negotiations with the client and their advisors regarding price, timescales, contract terms and so on; only if successful at this stage will they be confirmed to the project and a contract signed.
For more information see: Tenderer.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.