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Preparing for the interview is important to increase your chances of getting the job. Researching the questions in advance will help you provide better answers during the tender administrator interview. Most interviews include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience, and suitability for the job. In this article, we examine examples of various tender manager interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Interview questions can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know the structure of the question and the appropriate answer. However, these interviews will always ask you questions.
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Sample Tender Administrator Interview Questions
1.What is JV?
JV is an abbreviation of the world “Joint Venture”. When two or more companies decide to participate in a tender distributing their role and responsibilities in the project against which the tender has been floated then such combination of companies together is called a Joint Venture and each of the partners in the Joint Venture are called “Joint Venture Partners” or “JV Partners”.
2.What is called Blacklisting? If a company is blacklisted, What kind of reasons are there ?
Blacklisting is term used when a company is being blacklisted. Blacklisting a company means that the company has failed to execute any particular contract or project inspite of putting all its efforts which in turn has resulted in the delay of the project and monetary loss to the organisation which has appointed the blacklisted company to execute the particular project or contract. It may also happen is any form of fraudulent activities are noted to be preached by the blacklisted company.
3.What is the difference between limited and open tender?
- Limited tender is restricted to a select group of suppliers, while open tender is open to all interested suppliers.
- Limited tender is used when the buyer has pre-selected a few suppliers based on specific criteria.
- Open tender allows interested suppliers to submit their bids.
- Limited tender is often used for high-value or complex projects.
- Open tender promotes competition and transparency.
- Limited tender may require suppliers to be pre-qualified.
- Open tender may attract a larger number of bids.
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4. How to submit online Tenders in different portal?
To submit online tenders on various portals, please follow the specific instructions and guidelines of each portal.
- Research and identify the relevant portals for tender submission
- Create an account on the chosen portal
- Read and understand the guidelines and procedures for tender submission on the portal
- Preparation of necessary documents and information for tender
- Fill in the online tender form accurately and completely
- Upload the required documents and attachments
- Review and double-check all the entered information
- Submit the tender online within the specified deadline
- Keep a record of the tender submission for future reference
5.What is the basic need to submit a tender?
A fundamental requirement for a tender submission is a comprehensive understanding of project requirements and the ability to meet those requirements.
- Understanding the project requirements
- Ability to meet the project requirements
- Knowledge of the tendering process
- Competitive pricing and cost estimation
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
- Relevant experience and track record
- Strong financial stability
- Ability to provide necessary documentation and supporting materials
6.How many days will you take to submit a tender?
- The number of days required to submit a proposal depends on the complexity of the project and the availability of resources.
- The timeline for submitting a tender varies depending on the scope of work and the level of detail required in the proposal.
- Factors such as the size of the project, the number of stakeholders involved, and the level of competition can also impact the timeline.
- It is important to carefully review the tender documents and ensure that all requirements are met before submitting the proposal.
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A tender checklist ensures all necessary steps are followed in the tender process.
- Identify the tender requirements
- Gather all necessary documents and information
- Prepare a tender response
- Review and proofread the response
- Submit the tender within the specified deadline
- Follow up on the tender status
- Managing a gem portal requires proper categorization, regular updates, and effective communication with suppliers and customers.
- Categorize gems based on their type, color, and quality.
- Regularly update the portal with new arrivals and remove sold items.
- Ensure accurate product descriptions and high-quality images.
- Communicate effectively with suppliers to maintain a steady supply of gems.
- Provide excellent customer service and promptly address any complaints or issues.
- Implement secure payment and shipping options to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and adjust the portal accordingly.
- Promote the portal through social media and other marketing channels.
9. How to submission of bid on a portal and how to size reduce of file for bid submission ?
- The process of submitting a proposal on the portal includes uploading the file and reducing the size.
- To submit a bid on portal, login to the portal and navigate to the bid submission section.
- Click on the ‘Submit Bid’ button and select the relevant bid to submit.
- Upload the required files by clicking on the ‘Upload’ button and selecting the files from your computer.
- To reduce the size of files for bid submission, you can compress them using file compression software or convert them to a more efficient file format.
- Ensure that the file size meets the specified limits mentioned in the bid requirements.
- If the file size is still too large, you can try removing unnecessary images, reducing image resolution, or using online file compression tools.
- Make sure to follow any specific instructions provided by the eprocure portal for file submission and size reduction.
10. What experience do you have with respects to this Tender Administrator position?
Tip – Talk about the specific aspects of the role you’re applying for and the experience you need to demonstrate the key qualities of the role. If this role is your next step towards career advancement, you should plan ahead for this question so that you can answer it correctly.
Use specific examples to illustrate your work and complete your answer.
11. “Did you face any major challenges during your last bid manager position and how did you overcome them?”
Scenario: A hiring manager wants to test your problem-solving skills. They want to know how you handle problems professionally.
How to answer: Begin by outlining the challenges procurement managers may face. Then you can begin to explain your approach to the challenge. Again, remember to be very brief.
12. Why should we hire you?
Tip – This question is fairly easy to answer, but don’t discount other candidates or make assumptions about their skill sets. Focus on the talents and skills you can offer, without negating or discrediting the qualities of other candidates. If possible, back up your skills with examples.
Instead of talking about why the role will help you, talk about how you will help the organization.
Sample answer:
I like the sound of the company’s ethos. It’s something I can personally relate to, so I think I’m a good fit for the organization.
13. What documents are generally required when preparing a tender submission?
A strong administrator must know essential documentation. You may mention documents such as BOQ, Technical Bid, Commercial Bid, Company Registration Certificates, EMD, PAN, GST, Work Experience Certificates, Financial Statements, Turnover Certificates, Work Order Copies, etc. Also add that the list varies depending on tender type.
14. What is EMD? Why is it important in the tendering process?
Explain EMD (Earnest Money Deposit) and how it ensures only genuine bidders participate. Mention that EMD protects the client against bidder withdrawal or non-performance.
15. How do you evaluate tender eligibility before applying?
Discuss criteria like financial turnover requirement, similar work experience, manpower strength, technical capabilities, equipment capacity, certifications, and statutory registrations.
16. What is the difference between Technical Bid and Financial Bid?
Technical Bid focuses on qualification, experience, resources, methodology, safety plans, etc.
Financial Bid focuses on pricing, rate analysis, commercial offer, taxes, BOQ pricing.
17. What is a Tender Addendum and how do you handle it?
Explain that addendum is a revision/clarification issued by the client after tender release. The candidate should mention updating team members, revising BOQs and pricing, resubmitting updated bids before deadline.
18. What steps will you take to avoid tender disqualification?
Key points: double-check documents, follow formatting rules, sign and stamp all pages, upload correct file format, ensure financial & technical compliance, submit before deadline, verify annexures.
19. How do you handle tender queries and RFI (Request for Information)?
Talk about creating structured questions, maintaining communication records, seeking clarification before bid closing date, tracking responses, updating tender documents accordingly.
20. What do you know about Tender BOQ? How is it prepared?
Explain BOQ (Bill of Quantities), how quantity is extracted from drawings/specifications, rate analysis, material & manpower costing, taxes, overheads, profit percentage, etc.
21. Explain the difference between L1, L2 & L3 bidders.
L1 = Lowest bidder, L2 = Second lowest, L3 = Third lowest. Highlight client selection criteria & negotiation possibility.
22. What is Reverse Auction and how does it impact bidding?
Describe reverse auction as a dynamic online price competition process, where vendors quote decreasing prices. Mention benefits: cost saving, transparency, competitive pricing.
23. How do you keep track of upcoming tenders?
You may answer by mentioning monitoring tender portals like GeM, CPPP, e-Procurement sites, PSU portals, private portals, enabling alerts, networking with contractors, subscribing to notifications.
24. Describe your process for preparing a Tender Summary Report.
Discuss summarising eligibility criteria, scope of work, BOQ highlights, deadlines, risks, financial projection, profitability analysis, and management approval notes for decision-making.
25. How do you ensure the confidentiality of tender documents?
Mention NDA compliance, restricted access folders, password-protected files, secure storage, avoiding sharing outside team, and following organisational confidentiality policies.
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Final Thoughts
1: What is the main purpose of a Bill of Quantities (BoQ)?
Interviewing for a Tender Administrator role can feel challenging because it combines technical understanding, administrative discipline, and strong communication/coordination skills. However, with proper preparation, mastering basic concepts, thinking through practical scenarios, and structuring responses smartly, you can face interviews with confidence.
If you’re an aspiring engineer or a fresh graduate, take time to build an understanding of tendering processes and real‑world workflow. If you’re mid‑level, be ready to discuss real project experiences or hypothetical but realistic situations.
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Know MoreFrequently Asked Questions
What are the duties of a tender administrator?
Compilation of tender documents i.e. ability to draft plans, policies, procedures and ensure that all mandatory documents are updated. Attend tender briefing meetings. Maintain accurate records electronic copies of completed documents.
What is the qualification for tender administrator?
Minimum qualification – Diploma/similar qualifications. 5 years’ experience in Tender Administration. Ability to work in a team. Proper time management and ability to work under pressure and preparedness to work overtime, when required.
What does a tender admin assistant do?
Assists in the tender process from the pre‐qualification stage through to the final bid submission, award of contract and engagement close out. Collates and checks documentation within the tendering and contract process. Ensure that all queries are dealt with in a timely manner.
