INSIGHT
30 MAR 26
DPRTE 2026: Conversations, insights and a sector in transition
BiD Masters attended DPRTE this year, and the event proved to be an invaluable opportunity to meet organisations from across the defence ecosystem. Throughout the day, the team spoke with companies of all shapes and sizes, from SMEs and tech start‑ups to the big primes, and heard from influential voices shaping the future of UK defence procurement. The conversations reflected a sector undergoing rapid change and looking for practical ways to respond. Defence reform (and the Procurement Act driving…
20 JAN 26
Breaking barriers – How SMEs can seize the Atlantic Bastion opportunity
The launch of Atlantic Bastion marks a pivotal moment in the UK’s defence landscape. Positioned as a hub for cutting-edge technologies – AI, autonomy, cyber resilience, and advanced data systems – it signals a clear recognition that the future of defence capability will be defined not just by hardware, but by the intelligence, adaptability, and innovation embedded within it. For SMEs and start-ups, this is more than a policy announcement – it’s an open door. The Ministry of Defence…
22 OCT 25
Reflecting on 30 years of bidding and driving future success
Celebrating 30 years of BiD Masters, we interviewed our founder and CEO, Pete Coyle. In this enlightening Q&A, Pete highlights how the bidding profession has evolved, what changes may happen going forward, and how companies can improve their bidding approach to increase the chances of winning new contracts. What was bidding like 30 years ago? Bidding has always been about developing new business, but in the late 90s it was quite different from today’s standardised process. Typically, the…
30 JUL 25
Why bid management skills can make or break bidding success
A BiD Masters interview with Charlotte Davies, Head of Defence Commercial at ADS* *ADS is the UK trade association advancing leadership in aerospace, defence, security and space, to enable prosperity and clean, secure growth for our nation. Whether you’re a small or large company, effective bidding can be an enabler of business success. But it’s more than communicating a great product and knowing what your prospective customer needs. To be successful at bidding, you must have bid management skills…
25 JUL 25
Turning an unsuccessful bid into an opportunity
Bidding for a new contract is hard work. You’ve got to analyse the Request for Proposal (RFP), liaise with your subject matter experts, gather content and evidence, then write the eventual tender documents. So, if your bid is unsuccessful, it can feel like a waste of time. But only 43% of bids win contracts, so it’s inevitable you’re going to miss out sometimes. And there’s more to bidding than winning or losing. Much more. We’ve helped many…
12 JUL 25
Common bidding terms in plain English
Every business sector has its own language, and the bidding profession is no exception. It’s packed with endless acronyms that can trip you up before you’ve finished reading the RFP/ITT/ITB (see what I mean?) So, we’ve taken some of the most common bidding terms and explained what they mean to you – in plain English. For extra value, we’ve also provided some practical guidance around each that may improve your bidding process. RFI (Request for Information)Expression…