You may have seen an 'Invited Tender' on our website with very little information and no useful link and wondered what are they and how to get an invite. An Invited Tender can also be called a Selected, Restricted or Limited Tender.
What are 'Invited Tenders?'
An invited tender is a procurement process where only selected suppliers are invited to submit a bid. Unlike open tenders, these opportunities are not available to the general public.
If your organisation is not invited, you generally cannot:
- Submit a tender response
- Access the full tender documentation
- Download files from the tender portal (often password protected)
In most cases, once an invited tender has been issued, it is too late to request inclusion in that specific opportunity.
Why Do Invited Tenders Exist?
Invited tenders are common in Australian government procurement and private sector contracting. They usually arise in specific procurement scenarios.
1. Panel Arrangements or Standing Offer Agreements
Many invited tenders are issued through:
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Common Use Agreements (CUAs)
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Standing Offer Arrangements (SOAs)
Only suppliers who have already been pre-qualified or appointed to the panel are invited to respond. If you are not on the panel, you will not receive an invitation.
2. Limited Tenders
A limited tender occurs when an agency directly approaches one or more suppliers without running an open process.
This may happen when:
- There is extreme urgency
- Only one supplier can provide the goods or services
- The procurement falls under an exemption
- National security or confidentiality requirements apply
Limited tenders are governed by procurement rules such as the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs).
3. Low Value Procurements (Quote-Based Processes)
Sometimes a procurement is labelled a “tender” but is actually:
- Below the public tender threshold
- A request for quote (RFQ)
- Sent directly to selected suppliers
These processes are often informal and invitation only.
Why We List Invited Tenders
At Australian Tenders, we maintain a comprehensive database of tenders across Australia, including:
- Open tenders
- Invited tenders
- Panel based opportunities
- Private sector tenders
Even though you may not be able to bid on an invited tender, there is strategic value in tracking them.
Invited tenders help you:
- Identify procurement trends
- Understand who is being invited
- Spot potential subcontracting opportunities
- Monitor upcoming panel renewals
- Position early for future opportunities
This insight can inform your business development and tendering strategy.
What Can You Do If You’re Not Invited?
While you cannot “gatecrash” an invited tender, there are still proactive steps you can take:
Contact the Issuer
There is no harm in reaching out professionally to:
- Express interest
- Ask how suppliers are selected
- Request information on upcoming panel refreshes
- Seek guidance on future eligibility
While it is unlikely you will be added to an already issued invitation list, you may:
- Improve your visibility
- Get clarity on qualification requirements
- Learn how to position for the next opportunity
How to Get Invited to Future Tenders
To increase your chances of receiving invitations:
- Apply for relevant government panels when they open
- Build relationships with procurement officers
- Maintain a strong capability statement
- Monitor procurement thresholds and policy changes
- Track invited tenders to identify recurring buyers
Tendering success often starts before the tender is released.
An invited tender is not open to the public but it is still valuable intelligence. By monitoring invited tenders, understanding panel arrangements, and positioning early, you can move from being excluded to being shortlisted in future procurement cycles.
If you want to learn more about how we can help your tendering process, drop us a line via email here. Alternatively, check out our free "Introduction to Tendering" eBook. It has everything you need to know about procurement and getting started on your journey. We want you to win, and we're here to help you.
