Year after year, I see tender documents that are all the same. They don't bother to check whether they're still in compliance with the various clauses. Or they don't bother to check whether our tender is clear and unambiguous in case of a problem. So, why do I suggest you have your tender written and/or checked and validated by a consultant external to your organization or company?

The purpose of the hygiene and sanitation call for tenders

The purpose of a tender is to find a supplier who will fully meet our needs in terms of both quality and financial offerings. This document also serves as a clear basis for understanding what we expect from the winning supplier.

Expectations must be clear

The clearer the RFP, the less likely it will be to get a better response. Unfortunately, I've read many RFPs whose clauses were so vague that they were open to interpretation. Of course, like any document, the author of this document is often no longer objective about their own work. That's human.

Expectations must also be realistic. I remember a tender that stated that ALL floors had to be stripped annually. The floors were very worn, with several tile corners being raised, or the joints poorly sealed. Therefore, the floors should NOT have been stripped, as this would have further damaged them.

Another example is requests that do not follow the flooring manufacturer's recommended maintenance practices. As you know, it is not recommended to apply floor finishes to ceramic, terrazzo, mondo, wood, and many other types of floors. However, if you still require the supplier to apply floor finishes to these floor coverings, you should specify this.

New technologies and best practices.

As a material resources manager, you're responsible for suppliers of plumbing, renovations, office supplies, including housekeeping. However, it's impossible for one person to specialize in all of these areas, you'll agree. Every year, new technologies and new best practices enter the market. One of the best new technologies of recent years is the arrival of eco-friendly and biotechnological products, color-coded microfiber cloths; chemical dispensers with water regulators, etc.

These new technologies and best practices have positively influenced the field of housekeeping. Not being a specialist in housekeeping, a material resources manager may not be able to take advantage of this in their buildings. The hygiene and sanitation consultant is known to be up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices that can benefit buildings. They can share these with you when reviewing your tender document.

The advantage of consulting a specialist in the field is that they have seen several calls for tenders during their year. They are in contact with industry suppliers. And they generally participate in training courses to continually stay up-to-date on best hygiene and sanitation practices. Since they generally see several types of buildings during their year, this leads them to constantly improve and develop new strategies based on the building problems encountered.

What does your building have? really need?

The consultant can also advise you on the frequency of tasks required for your buildings. He can even draw up a new cleaning quote if you are no longer satisfied with yours. He is therefore YOUR ally as well as that of your buildings. Don't hesitate to seek his advice for all your building maintenance needs. This article concerning the up-to-date housekeeping quotes might also interest you.

I preach for my parish?

Yes, as well as that of my fellow consultants! There aren't many of us in Quebec, I admit. More seriously, I believe we're a great support system for any building manager. Whether your building is public or private, the consultant will be able to provide you with good advice.

If CF Salubrité seems to be a firm that meets your needs, send us your requirements using the following form.

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