Compulsory Briefing Sessions: Miss One and You're Out
What compulsory tender briefings and site meetings are, why non-attendance is an automatic disqualification, and how to find and prepare for them.
Some tenders hold a briefing session or site meeting before bids close. When it is marked compulsory, not attending is an automatic disqualification — no matter how strong your bid would have been. It is one of the simplest ways to lose, and the simplest to avoid.
Why buyers hold them
A briefing lets the buyer walk bidders through the scope, show the site, and answer questions so every bid is built on the same understanding. For construction and facilities work especially, the site visit is where the real scope becomes clear.
Compulsory vs optional
The tender states whether the briefing is compulsory. If it is, you must attend (and usually sign the attendance register) to remain eligible. If it is optional, attending is still wise — you learn things that are not in the document.
How to find and prepare
- The briefing date, time, venue and whether it is compulsory are in the tender document
- Diarise it the moment you decide to bid — these dates are early and unforgiving
- Bring your details to sign the attendance register; keep your stamped copy as proof
- Note any addenda or clarifications issued after the briefing — they change the bid
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss a compulsory briefing session?+
Your bid is automatically disqualified. Attendance (usually signing the register) is a condition of eligibility, so the bid is removed before evaluation.
How do I know if a briefing is compulsory?+
The tender document states it, along with the date, time and venue. Bidcheck also flags compulsory briefings on the tenders it lists.
Should I attend optional briefings?+
Usually yes — they clarify scope and surface details not in the written document, which helps you price and respond more accurately.
Search every live South African government tender free. No signup, no card.
Search live tenders