How to tender? (especially cost plan) has any one done this?

[Asabat]

I hope this is okay to post here, as it's sort of academic - I am a researcher, but it's not an academic job I want to apply for, it is however my research and professional expertise area ifyswim.

I have seen a role that I really would like to apply for but it's a consultancy and the application is a full tender document. I have done freelance work before and am set up as a sole trader, though not VAT registered. Previously I have simply invoiced hours/days at my usual rate and all has been well. But this application requires a cost plan - what more do I need to include?

There is a set budget amount and I am trying to calculate what my fee would be in order to achive the work over 6 months, but beyond that I am at a loss. There is little to no travel involved that I wouldn't expect to cover in a normal job and within my fee and the work is mainly desk research, and then report and guidence writing.

I have googled and seen various models including Consultancy Fees, Project related Expenses, Admin Costs and Contingency Fund - but I am not sure what goes where and how to calculate

Any help gratefully received.

I think they’re probably looking for a simple Gantt chart with hours against each activity and timeline, showing payment stages etc for the six month project.

In the past I've split each phase/work package into sections and put number of days*day rate into each against each broad activity, then material costs and travel/other expenses at the end. Totals to time+materials.

So you might have Inception and contracting (2 daysday rate), literature review (10 daysday rate), data collection and analysis (20 daysday rate), reporting and dissemination (10 daysday rate), project management (3 days*day rate) material costs listed with each cost, travel and expenses listed with each cost. Total excluding VAT, Total including VAT. For example! Totally random days selected there btw 😂