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Applying to a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP)
Applying to a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP)
When participating in a CFP procurement you may either be awarded or rejected at various stages of the process. Here’s what you need to know:
A CFP consists of multiple stages (Participation, Tender, and Award), each with specific components like technical questionnaires, negotiations, site visits, demonstrations and final commercial offers. You must complete the components in each stage based on what is specified in the particular procurement you’re applying for to progress further.
Key points to note:
Some stages may involve shortlisting (downselect), where buyers evaluate responses and reduce the number of suppliers proceeding to the next stage.
Stages such as negotiation, site-visit, dialogue, and audit which occur offline, require buyers to confirm their occurrence before any suppliers can move forward.
Clarification questions will be stage-specific, enabling you to ask questions at each stage as needed.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand and respond to CFP opportunities:
Log in to Cimple
Navigate to your dashboard by clicking ‘Suppliers’ along the top-navigation bar and then clicking on ‘Supplier dashboard.’
Find the CFP based procurement
Use the search bar under ‘All Opportunities’ to locate the procurement you want to apply for
Look for the tag ‘Competitive Flexible Procedure’ on the top-right corner of a procurement listing to confirm it's a CFP opportunity.
Alternatively, you can use the ‘Sort and Filter’ options to specifically sort for CFP-based procurements.
Once you’ve identified it , click on view details and apply to start your application process.
Here’s what to expect based on each stage of a CFP application process:
Participation Stage
Participation Stage
If the buyer has included a Participation Stage, you would ideally see:
Expression of Interest (EOI):
View and download the EOI document uploaded by the buyer
Complete the required fields or upload the requested document (mandatory if the buyer has provided an EOI template)
Buyers may include specific questions in the EOI section for you to respond to. These questions could range from:
Yes/No responses
Multiple-choice selections
Short or detailed text answers
Attachment uploads (e.g., supporting documents)
Ensure all required fields are completed accurately before proceeding
Selection Questionnaire (SQ):
Fill out the standardised questionnaire as specified by the buyer to qualify for participation.
Note: some supplier data may soon be automatically pulled from the Central Digital Platform (CDP) after the integration is completed. For further information on how our integration with CDP will work, please click here.
Tender Stage(s)
Tender Stage(s)
The tender stage may include one or multiple phases (Tender Stage 1, Tender Stage 2, etc.), each with specific components to complete:
ITT - Technical Questions:
Provide detailed answers showcasing your expertise and experience
Upload any supporting documents if required
ITT - Social Value Questions:
Respond to questions about your social value commitments as specified by the buyer
Upload any supporting documents if asked for
ITT - Commercial Response:
Provide pricing details or upload commercial templates as specified by the buyer
For opportunities with multiple lots, select the lots you wish to bid on and complete a corresponding commercial response for each.
Additional Components:
For components such as Negotiations, Audit, Dialogue, and Site Visit, it is the buyer's responsibility to confirm if the step has taken place, whether online or offline
Once the buyer confirms the completion of a step, you will be moved to the next stage of the CFP application process
If the buyer selects "No" for any of these steps, your application will be rejected, and you will no longer proceed in the procurement process
However, if the buyer selects “Yes” or fails to provide confirmation before the deadline date and time of the component, you will be allowed to continue further with the application
Supplier Presentation/Product Demonstration:
Upload requested materials or provide a presentation/demonstration as per buyer instructions
Complete all mandatory fields for each component and submit responses before the specified deadlines
Award Stage
Award Stage
The Award Stage typically concludes your CFP application flow and includes the Best and Final Offer (BAFO):
Review any additional instructions or details uploaded by the buyer.
Upload your final offer and any supporting documents in the required fields.
Additional tip: You can save your responses as a draft at any stage of your application process and return to complete them before the deadline. Once you start your application process, you’ll be able to access the procurement under the Draft Opportunities section of your supplier dashboard.
For CFP based procurements, since it is an ongoing application process, you’ll also be able to access it under the Applied Opportunities section.
Next Step: Manage responses to your bids
Need help? Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.
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