Oct 20, 2025
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Tender Categories: The Key To Find The Right Opportunities
TenderingClara Chimedza | Apr 09, 2025 | | |
Finding the right tenders can feel overwhelming. But understanding tender categories is the key to unlocking the best opportunities for your business.
Whether you're targeting government, NGO, or private sector tender, knowing which tenders match your business sector can save you time.
Plus, it ensures you meet all the necessary compliance and eligibility criteria, so you’re not wasting time on bids you can’t win.
By prioritizing tenders where you have the best chance of winning, you can boost your chances of landing those contracts.
In this blog, we’ll break down the three primary ways tenders are categorized:
- Market-Based Tenders – Who is offering the tender?
- Product/Service Type Tenders – What is being procured?
- Industry-Specific Tenders – Which sector does the tender belong to?
Now, let’s explore them to help you find the right fit, starting with market-specific tenders.
Table of Contents
2. Product or Service-Specific Tenders
Industries with High Tender Volume
Industries with Low Tender Volume
1. Market-Specific Tenders
The first thing before you start applying tenders is to know the market you are targeting .And there are three markets where you can get tenders. These are the public sector, NGO sector, and private sector.
Each market has different eligibility criteria, funding sources, and compliance requirements. Understanding these distinctions is essential for you to secure contracts successfully. Now, let’s start by looking at public sector tenders.
Public Sector Tenders
The Zimbabwean government is one of the largest buyers of goods and services under the guidance of its public procurement body, the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ).
They issue tenders across various ministries, departments, and agencies. These tenders require strict adherence to procurement regulations and legal compliance.
On top of that, stiff competition and a high level of bureaucracy are the order of the day. If you can meet high compliance standards, have the capabilities to compete, and can execute large projects, then these tenders are for you.
Based on our experiences for the past 7 years, for you to win government contracts, ensure your bid is fully compliant, responsive to customer needs and show value for money | Image source:ZBC News Online
Examples of Public Sector Tender Opportunities in High Demand
- Supply of office equipment and furniture
- Infrastructure development (roads, bridges, and buildings)
- Provision of healthcare supplies and services
- Information Technology (IT) solutions and equipment
NGO Tenders
NGO tenders are issued by international aid organizations, charities, and development agencies for humanitarian aid, development, and social impact projects.
These tenders focus on social impact, often in areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and humanitarian aid.
Unlike government or private sector tenders, NGOs are particular about impact, ethical business practices, and community engagement. If you are able to align with NGO priorities and values such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, or poverty alleviation, then these tenders are for you.
Image Source: Human Action Aid | For you to win NGO tenders, showcase impact sustainable business practices as well as successful past projects with measurable results
Examples of NGO Sector Tender Opportunities in High Demand
- Supply of relief goods such as food, clothing, and medical supplies
- Construction and rehabilitation of community infrastructure
- Training and capacity-building programs
- Consultancy services in research, monitoring, and evaluation
Private Sector Tenders
Private tenders are issued by corporations, financial institutions, and businesses for outsourcing services or procuring goods.
Unlike public and NGO tenders, private sector tenders are more flexible. They prioritizing speed, cost-effectiveness, and innovation over rigid compliance requirements.
Since the tendering process can often be slow, costly and bureaucratic,most private organizations bypass the tender process altogether. and engage suppliers directly. This means the volume of tenders in this sector is quite low.
Examples of Common Tender Opportunities in the Private Sector
- Supply chain and logistics services
- Office and industrial equipment supply
- Facilities management and maintenance services
- IT services, including software development and cybersecurity
2. Product or Service-Specific Tenders
Now that you have chosen the market, the next step in finding tender opportunities is to be clear on what you are going to sell in that market.
Whether you are going to sell goods, works, services or consultancy, you need to understand selling each one of those is completely different and requires aa different approach...
Each type comes with its own requirements, pricing models, and evaluation criteria, making it crucial for you to understand how to position yourself competitively
Goods Tenders
These tenders involve the supply of tangible products that are manufactured, procured, and delivered to meet specific needs. Examples include office supplies, medical equipment, computers, vehicles, and furniture.
Since goods are physical items that can be produced, stored, and transported, it means you need to have the capacity to handle inventory and transportation of the goods.
Also, goods are often standardized, and specifications are well-defined, meaning there is little room for differentiation, which can lead to lower profit margins
Contracts can be for a single delivery or ongoing supply over a period, such as annual orders.
.
For you to succeed selling goods, offer competitive pricing while maintaining quality standards and efficient supply chain logistics
Works Tenders
Works tenders are projects that involve construction, repair, maintenance, or other physical tasks that result in a completed structure or improvement. Examples: building schools, infrastructure projects, road repairs
Works require detailed planning, skilled labor, and equipment, which means you need to be on top of your project management to complete it on time and within budget.
Projects must meet engineering and environmental standards and often involve compliance with local laws and regulations.
Works projects often involve significant risks, including safety, weather conditions, and potential delays, making risk assessment and mitigation plans essential.
For you to succeed with works tenders, show strong past experience in similar projects, detailed methodology and compliance with safety & environmental regulations
Services Tenders
These tenders focus on service delivery rather than physical goods. These services rely on technical expertise or specialized skills that are not available within a client's existing team to support operational goals. Examples include IT support, engineering services, security, and cleaning.
They may be structured as ongoing support contracts or for a one-off project.
You need to meet strict service level requirements and exact specifications meaning attention to detail is key.
Success is measured by how well you meet performance benchmarks. So, meeting service level agreements is essential for client satisfaction and contract renewal.
Recommended Reading: Should I Go With Goods Tenders or Service Tenders First To The Market?
Consultancy Tenders
Consultancy tenders involve the provision of expert knowledge and advisory services to assist in decision-making and strategic planning.
One thing that the government buyers prefer is advice from experts, which means you need to demonstrate that you are a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in your area.
Also, these tenders involve close collaboration with the client to understand their objectives, challenges, and desired outcomes.
Each consultancy contract is unique, meaning you need to tailor your solution to meet the specific needs of the client.
Examples:
- Business development and training services
- Environmental and social impact assessments
- Legal and financial advisory services
- Marketing and branding consultancy
For you to succeed with consultancy contracts, show a deep industry knowledge & proven expertise and understanding of client needs and priorities.
3. Industry-Specific Tenders
Industry-specific tenders categorize opportunities based on the particular sector into which the project or procurement falls.
As tender consultants who have been closely monitoring tenders across industries for more than seven years, we have observed that certain sectors consistently have higher volumes and larger tender opportunities, while others maintain have low frequency of tenders.
Additionally, in recent years, there has been a noticeable surge in tender opportunities within rapidly emerging sectors, driven largely by global trends such as technological advancements, climate change imperatives, and evolving public health priorities.
These shifts are redefining where and how businesses can access new opportunities, and it is critical for suppliers and contractors to stay informed and agile to leverage these trends."
Industries with High Tender Volume
Some industries consistently issue a large number of tenders throughout the year. These sectors typically serve essential services or fast-evolving needs. Examples include:
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Information Technology
- Healthcare and Medicine
One advantage of these is that there is a large supplier pool, which means clients are more likely to easily switch from one supplier to another increasing the probability of winning to anyone who wants to participate..
The biggest challenge for high volume tenders is that many businesses compete for the same opportunities, making it harder to stand out purely on basic qualifications.
Industries with Low Tender Volume
While some sectors have a constant, high flow of tenders, others naturally see lower tender activity due to their specialized nature or limited demand. Examples include:
- Heritage Conservation & Cultural Preservation
- Aerospace & Aviation Services
- Research and Development (R&D)
And the biggest advantage of low volume tenders is low competition. Since fewer businesses operate in these niches, the competition for each tender is significantly lower, increasing your chances of success if you meet the criteria.
Wrap Up
There you have it. a deep dive of tender categories — from market-specific to product/service-based and industry-specific opportunities.
This is the starting point to identifying the right tender opportunities.
Whether applying for government, NGO, or private sector tenders, knowing where your business fits can improve your chances of success.
Understanding these can help you pivot your strategies and position yourself for greater success in winning contracts.
Looking for tender opportunities? Searching for relevant tenders can be time-consuming. That’s why Tendertube simplifies the process by bringing together government, NGO, and private sector tenders in one place. Start your 14-day free trial today and bid smarter, faster, and with confidence!
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By Clara Chimedza
Clara Chimedza is a journalist, e-commerce entrepreneur, and copywriter. She specializes in email copy, blog posts, and product descriptions. Passionate about helping women succeed online through digital skills training. Connect with her on LinkedIn
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