Evidence · All sectors
Missing evidence in a tender answer: how to spot it and what to add
Prepared by TenderChecker. Last reviewed 4 October 2026. General guidance only — every buyer's own instructions and criteria take priority.
Short answer
Go through your answer and mark every claim ('experienced', 'robust', 'high quality'). For each, ask: what fact, record or example proves this?
If you have the evidence, add it specifically. If you don't, remove the claim or rephrase it honestly — never invent figures, accreditations or clients.
What the buyer might be asking
- Evaluators often look for evidence that supports what you say you will do.
Worked example (fictional)
Everything in this example — company, people and numbers — is invented for illustration.
Example question: Describe your experience of delivering similar services. (Max 400 words)
Fictional context: Fictional bidder: Clearline FM Ltd. Supplied fictional notes: three current office contracts; a client-signed monthly audit sheet; staff induction records.
Weak draft (fictional)
Clearline has extensive experience and a proven track record of delivering excellent services to a wide range of satisfied clients.
What the draft misses
- Every phrase is a claim; none is supported.
- The bidder holds genuine evidence that is simply not used.
A better version (using only the fictional facts above)
We currently deliver three office contracts [insert their scope, why they are comparable, and client names if permitted]. A client signs a monthly audit sheet [insert which contract(s)], and we can provide an example if the buyer allows. We keep staff induction records [insert what induction covers and when it happens].
Bracketed text marks facts the bidder still needs to supply. Never fill these with invented figures.
Evidence checklist
- ☐ Current or recent comparable contracts
- ☐ Records you keep (audits, logs, reports)
- ☐ Policies you actually follow
- ☐ Accreditations you actually hold
- ☐ Permission to reference clients
Common mistakes
- Inventing statistics
- Treating adjectives as evidence
- Attaching evidence the buyer said not to send