Case Study:
Malcolm Abbs
Secured a £650,000 project and continued their established relationship with NNDC
About the client
Malcolm Abbs Building Contractors is a family-run building and construction company based in Norfolk, with more than 40 years of experience. Founded and led by Managing Director Malcolm Abbs, the company delivers civil engineering and construction services in the public and private sector. They specialise in coastal works and have delivered a range of projects along the Norfolk coastline.
With a strong reputation built through repeat business and recommendations, Malcolm Abbs Ltd had developed significant experience delivering projects for organisations such as North Norfolk District Council (NNDC).
However, as the company began pursuing more formal public sector opportunities, it recognised that additional support was needed to navigate the competitive tendering process and present its experience effectively.
The Challenge
NNDC was seeking a contractor for a £650,000 coastal car park improvement project in Happisburgh. The project involved building a new rollback car park, along with landscaping and highway improvements. It also included demolition, remediation, treatment of the existing car park and the reuse of existing materials.
For Malcolm Abbs Ltd, the project was a strong fit. The company had extensive experience delivering similar coastal works and had previously worked with NNDC. However, securing the contract meant navigating a formal public sector procurement process, with detailed responses required against specific evaluation criteria. The bid needed to clearly demonstrate the company’s experience, methodology, approach to the works and how project risks would be managed.
With the Malcolm Abbs team busy running the business and overseeing existing projects, the company needed additional bid-writing expertise and capacity to develop a strong submission.
What We Did
TenderHelp provided a dedicated lead bid writer to work closely with Malcolm Abbs Ltd throughout the tender process. We began with a kick-off meeting to understand the project, the company’s experience and the tender requirements, followed by regular calls scheduled around Malcolm’s busy workload.
We reviewed the information and evidence already available, including policies, procedures and previous project examples, identified any gaps and created a clear list of what was needed. We then managed the process of gathering this information and keeping the submission on track.
The lead bid writer worked closely with Malcolm and the company’s quantity surveyor, who priced the project. Following the site visit, we used their first-hand knowledge of the site, potential risks and logistical challenges to develop detailed responses covering the methodology, sequence of works, risk management and delivery approach.
Draft responses were reviewed by Malcolm and the quantity surveyor, with their practical feedback incorporated to ensure the submission accurately reflected how the project would be delivered.
We also used TenderHelp’s in-house graphic design team to create a professional, engaging submission that complemented NNDC’s branding. Highlighted evidence call-outs were used throughout to make key information easy to find and clearly demonstrate how the company met the scoring requirements.
The result was a clear, well-structured, visually engaging submission that combined Malcolm Abbs Ltd’s practical expertise with a focused, evidence-led approach.
The Results
The submission was successful, with Malcolm Abbs Building Contractors securing the £650,000 project and continuing their established relationship with NNDC.
TenderHelp helped the company turn its extensive practical experience and technical expertise into a clear, compelling response to a formal public sector tender.
The successful bid has led to repeat business with TenderHelp, demonstrating the value Malcolm Abbs Ltd places on having experienced bid-writing support alongside its own technical expertise.
What they said
May I thank both yourself and Victoria, Chris and Ben for the professional support, help and advice you all provided delivering the successful tender. Very much appreciated with your efforts totally recognised.
– Malcolm Abbs, Managing Director