Applications & offers
This is a subsection of the fundraising lexicon developed as part of the GFMD MediaDev fundraising guide.
Last updated
This is a subsection of the fundraising lexicon developed as part of the GFMD MediaDev fundraising guide.
Last updated
For the full fundraising lexicon (A-Z) go to
Competitive tenders for service contracts often begin with a procurement notice inviting eligible applicants to submit an expression of interest.
Would-be applicants are asked to present basic information about their organisation as well as providing details of past performance and technical and/or financial capacity.
In addition, bidders may be asked to meet a set of criteria that demonstrate they have experience of delivering a programme of a similar scale and an equivalent value, possibly also in a comparable environment.
For EU service contracts, implementing organisations are encouraged to apply as part of a consortium and, in these cases, the collective track record of the consortium may be taken into account.
This is a 4-5 page document setting out the fundamental ideas and approach for a project as well as describing any formal partnerships that are integral to the project design.
Concept notes are usually requested as the first stage of a grant application process, thereby giving donors the chance to short-list those proposals which, in their view, best reflect the goals and priorities of the programme.
Short-listed applicants are then invited to submit a full application which should retain the core elements of the concept note including the partnerships involved and the proposed budget amount.
Typically, these headings will comprise a rationale for the intervention; a detailed description of proposed activities; a discussion of the target groups and their needs; the approach and methodology; risks and assumptions; and key issues such as sustainability and multiplier effects.
Most donors offer a template for full applications which includes a budget spreadsheet and a logical framework. Applications are generally evaluated according to a scoring matrix which is presented in the Terms of Reference.
Technical Offers come in response to Terms of Reference drawn up by the Contracting Authority and, as a rule, should seek to demonstrate that the bidder fully understands the prescribed tasks and has an effective methodology for delivering them.
Technical Offers should also reflect an in-depth knowledge of the risks, challenges and opportunities inherent to the operating environment.
Generally speaking, bidders endeavour to put forward a competitive budget that offers a discount on the maximum budget available.
However, in the scoring matrix, the weighting usually is placed on the Technical Offer, meaning that bidders with a very strong proposition may not feel the need to make an economically advantageous bid.