AI bid hacks – but not for tender writing
Laura Moylan, Tender Specialist (Perth)
The use of AI in tender writing is a hot topic in the bidding world right now and has been for years.
It’s understandable that in a fast-paced, high-churn tender management environment, some people find AI necessary to fast-track track development of their bids and alleviate burnout. The problem with this approach is - a tender submission that has been properly researched, strategically analysed, and written by a human will always connect more meaningfully to the person reading it.
In saying this, we all know that AI is not going anywhere. As with any major advancement in technology, we can fight it or adapt to it and find ways to use it as a tool to support what we do. Just 30 years ago, Microsoft Excel was the scary new change facing accountants worldwide. Manual ledgers transitioned into fast, complex reports, calculations were now automated, and paper spreadsheets became a thing of the past. Fast forward to 2025, where Microsoft Office products are now considered the go-to tools for businesses, driving efficiency and supporting day-to-day operations.
Human connection and understanding will always be our superpower. Nothing can replace that. Equally, AI is here to support us as a tool that we can tap into to cut down on those time-consuming, brain-draining tasks. In doing so, it frees us up to focus on the details that actually matter – the ones that add real value and make a difference.
Like Microsoft Excel, AI can streamline everyday tender writing tasks as a:
1. Supercharged search engine
Move over, Google – AI is the new way to search! Instead of wasting time and energy sifting through copious website results, AI can take you straight to the answers you need. Whether you’re looking up word definitions, deciphering acronyms, or working out the ideal structure of a document, AI delivers tailored information.
With AI’s intuitive approach, you can control the search. Refine your prompts to get results that closely match your industry, project type, or scope.
Prompt Suggestion: What is the definition of [acronym] in relation to [sector/context]
2. Tailored thesaurus
When Microsoft Word’s built-in thesaurus doesn’t cut it, AI has the ability to suggest words that fit your exact tone, context, and intent. By adapting to your needs, AI is able to fine-tune suggestions beyond the basic synonyms or antonyms until you land on the perfect one.
Keep in mind that most AI platforms are trained with US English, so a quick spellcheck may be required to pick up any differences.
Prompt Suggestion: List similar words for [word] in the context of [message you want to convey]
3. Formula finder
Just as you can use AI as your personal search engine, make it work even harder by using it to generate tailored Excel formulas or guide you step-by-step through fixing formatting or functionality issues that pop up. If you know what it is you want to do, AI is able to make it happen.
Prompt Suggestion: Provide the [Excel or Word] formula for [describe action or functionality]
4. Perception proofreader
Tender writing can be tedious, and when you are bogged down in the weeds, it can feel like what you’re writing isn’t conveying your intended meaning. Sometimes you don’t have the option of running a sentence by a colleague or reviewer, so asking AI if what you’ve drafted properly communicates your message can be helpful in maintaining your writing momentum.
Always remember to consider and preserve the confidentiality and sensitivity of the content before using a public, unsecured AI platform in this way.
Prompt Suggestion: Does this sentence convey [intention/tone]: [insert sentence]
5. Resourceful researcher
In bids, we know that a tailored submission that aligns with the client’s values and objectives is the key to creating a connection. Fast-track your research by asking AI to do the heavy lifting for you.
When asked to break down the values and objectives of Tender Plus Consulting, AI said:
Tender Plus Consulting
Company Values:
Tender Plus Consulting is guided by four core values that shape its approach to tender consulting:
Kindness – Creating a supportive and collaborative environment in all client engagements.
Tenacity – Demonstrating perseverance and dedication to achieving the best results.
Quality – Delivering high standards in tender consulting and bid preparation.
Integrity – Upholding honesty, transparency, and ethical business practices.
Reference: Tender Plus Consulting
Company Objectives:
Tender Plus Consulting aims to help businesses win and retain competitive contracts by offering expert guidance throughout the tendering process. Their objectives include:
Strategic Tender Facilitation – Enhancing bid success rates through tailored strategies.
Bid Management Support – Providing end-to-end bid coordination to streamline submissions.
Tender Writing and Review Services – Improving proposal clarity and effectiveness.
Industry Insights and Best Practices – Equipping clients with knowledge to navigate procurement successfully.
These objectives align with their mission to support businesses in securing contracts efficiently and competitively.
Reference: Business NSW
Prompt Suggestion: What are the values and objectives for [company name]
As with all new technologies, AI contains its own shortcomings and biases that we need to consider when reviewing the results that it produces, so it’s important to:
Review all responses for quality and spelling
Cross-check responses against the references (website links) for accuracy and relevance
Ensure that the information you enter on an open AI platform is not confidential or sensitive in nature, and
Use AI to guide you, but amend the final product to suit.
Like it or not, AI is here to stay, so the question is: Will you fight it, or will you hack it?
Do you need a hand preparing or writing your bid? Tender Plus can help. From our offices in Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane, we provide national tender consulting services, including tender coordination, tender writing services, and tender support. Contact our team today to elevate your tender submissions.
If you liked this topic, you might be interested in AI and tenders: Have we lost the art of writing? and AI & QA - Pace, meet quality.