# Tendering Process in Construction

> The tendering process in construction invites contractors to bid in sealed offers. See an airport example, the L1 bidder and how SuperWise runs a tender.

Canonical: https://superwise.site/glossary/tender-tendering/
Last updated: 2026-11-01

The formal process in which a client invites contractors to submit sealed, competitive bids to build a project.

## What is Tender (Tendering Process)?

A tender is a sealed, binding bid that a contractor submits to build a project, and tendering is the formal process that produces it. The client, such as a government body or a private developer, releases a tender document with the drawings, the contract conditions and a blank [Bill of Quantities](https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/) (BOQ). Contractors price it, and open competition keeps the rates transparent.

## Practical example

The Airports Authority needs a new terminal and issues a public tender. Five large EPC contractors download the tender documents, and each spends a month working out steel, concrete and labour costs. On the deadline day all five submit sealed bids. The Authority opens them in public and awards the multi-million dollar contract to the L1 (lowest) bidder.

## In SuperWise

In SuperWise a tender runs as an [RFP](https://superwise.site/glossary/request-for-proposal/) or RFQ with the Tender bid type. The RFP lists the BOQ items in scope, and contractors price each line in a proposal through the portal. On an RFQ with the Tender bid type, [quotations](https://superwise.site/glossary/quotation/) are sealed and opened only after the end date. The comparison view shows rates side by side, and awarding creates the [work order](https://superwise.site/glossary/work-order/) or purchase order.

[For contracts and purchase](https://superwise.site/professions/construction-contracts-and-purchase/)

## Related terms

- [Notice Inviting Tender (NIT)](https://superwise.site/glossary/notice-inviting-tender/)
- [Bill of Quantities (BOQ)](https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/)
- [Work Order (WO)](https://superwise.site/glossary/work-order/)
- [Joint Venture (JV)](https://superwise.site/glossary/joint-venture/)

## Related
- [Notice Inviting Tender (NIT)](https://superwise.site/glossary/notice-inviting-tender/)
- [Bill of Quantities (BOQ)](https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/)
- [Work Order (WO)](https://superwise.site/glossary/work-order/)
- [Joint Venture (JV)](https://superwise.site/glossary/joint-venture/)
- [For contracts and purchase](https://superwise.site/professions/construction-contracts-and-purchase/)