What is mobilisation in a tender?
2 min read · Prepared by TenderChecker
Short answer
Mobilisation is how you get a new contract running between award and service start. Buyers want a realistic plan showing tasks, timescales, responsibilities, staffing, equipment, communication and risks.
Key points
- ✓The plan from contract award to service start
- ✓Buyers want dates, owners and risks
- ✓TUPE may apply where staff transfer
What to include
A timeline, who leads it, recruitment or staff transfer, training, equipment, systems, meetings with the buyer and how risks will be managed.
Common mistakes
Vague timescales, no named roles and ignoring staff transfer (TUPE) where it applies.
Quick self-check before you submit
- ☐ Dated milestones aligned to the buyer's start date
- ☐ Named mobilisation lead
- ☐ Top risks with mitigations
- ☐ Communication plan with the buyer
Key terms on this page
- Mobilisation
- The period and plan for getting a new contract up and running, from contract award to full service start.
- TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment))
- Rules that can transfer existing staff to a new supplier when a service changes hands. Tenders often ask how you will manage this.
In-depth guides
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More questions
General guidance only, not legal advice. Always follow the buyer's own tender documents.