Frequently Asked Questions

Are there enough tenders to go around?

Yes. To maintain a healthy ecosystem, each client must issue at least one tender per year. Coupled with our 10:1 vendor-to-client ratio per category, this ensures consistent opportunity and a fair playing field. Your odds of landing work on Tandm are stronger than in the open market.

Is there a waiting list to become a vendor?

Yes. To maintain our 10:1 ratio, new vendors are admitted as new clients join.

Can an individual be a vendor?

Yes. While Tandm primarily supports creative businesses, we welcome qualified solo creatives. As client needs vary, we ensure a diverse pool of talent—from full-service teams to specialised individuals.

Can a vendor cold pitch?

Yes, but only when a client's profile displays the "green light" indicator, signaling they're open to unsolicited proposals.

Can I collaborate with others?

Absolutely. Members can collaborate to issue or bid on tenders, enabling cross-industry teaming, budget-sharing, and more strategic proposals.

How does representation work when bidding on Tandm?

If you are represented, your bid can include that representation so clients see both the creative and the commercial structure behind the submission. Previous to this action, you can "Nudge" your representation to bid with you or on behalf of you.

Can companies show who they represent and include specific creatives in a bid?

Yes. Agents and companies can add the creative entities they represent directly to their profile and include them when bidding using the "Bid with" feature. This allows them to select directors, photographers, DOPs, or other talent from the Tandm database, or invite them to join if not yet on the platform. So clients see exactly which individuals are being proposed, not just the company name.

This is important because high-value creative work is rarely awarded to a company alone—clients usually award based on the company plus the named creative, or a collaboration between parties. Tandm reflects how the industry actually works by carrying this relationship through profile visibility, bidding, legal flow, and final project structure.

Can I show who represents me on my profile, and is that visible to clients?

Yes. Individual creatives can add commercial representation directly to their profile using the "Repped by" field by selecting an existing agent or company on Tandm, or inviting one to join if not yet listed. This representation is visible on the profile, allowing clients to immediately understand the commercial structure behind each bid.

Are tenders exclusive to Tandm?

While we can't stop clients from issuing tenders elsewhere initially, our goal is to make Tandm the go-to destination—where clients feel no need to look beyond.

Can a tender be re-issued?

Yes. If a vendor fails to meet expectations or the relationship breaks down, the client may retract the award and reissue the tender to the network. The original vendor may re-bid. However, retraction without just cause is not permitted.

Can deadlines be extended?

Yes. If submitted bids don't align with client needs, deadlines can be extended.

How many vendors can bid on one tender?

5 is the minimum number of bids a tender can be set to.

How are project budgets handled?

Budgets can be listed as a fixed amount or close range to then be assigned to the relevant bid-pool.

Is there a waiting period or minimum tender issue requirement?

Clients must issue at least one tender per year to maintain active membership status.

How do you protect IP and confidentiality?

After extensive research and industry feedback, we designed Tandm so that all members must agree to platform terms strictly prohibiting IP misuse; any breach may result in immediate membership termination, co-operation with the affected party, and the release of relevant account details where legal action is pursued.

Before viewing any sensitive brief, vendors see only top-line tender information and must first request access, with full control remaining with the client to approve or decline who proceeds. If approved, vendors enter Expression of Interest (EOI) — phase one of bid submission. Only if the client chooses to continue are full project details released, optionally alongside NDA requirements. This phased structure keeps clients in control, limits exposure, and ensures transparency throughout.

Vendor ideas are equally protected: all submissions are timestamped, recorded, and contractually protected, meaning concepts cannot be used unless that vendor is formally awarded the project.

How does Tandm charge?

Tandm charges a 5% fee on every project awarded through the platform. When you award a tender, the 5% is added on top of the contract value. It's always paid by the client (the tender issuer) and taken from each milestone payment, so build it into your overall budget. The vendor never pays it.

For example, a 60k project has a 3,000 fee. Amounts are in the tender's currency.

If you award work outside tandm to a vendor you met here within 12 months of their bid, the fee still applies.

By issuing a tender, the client agrees to this fee as part of our terms of service.

There are no listing fees or hidden costs — Tandm is paid only when a deal happens.

When is the fee charged?

The fee is invoiced to the client in Step 3, once the contract is signed. It's spread across the milestone invoices, or included in full if you choose to be invoiced upfront.

I invited my own vendor. Is there still a fee?

Yes. The fee is on the tender, not a finder's fee for introducing the vendor. You're still using everything around the bid: running it, comparing bids, the contract and the payment. So the fee applies however the vendor arrived.

• Invited vendors join free as a "guest bidder", limited to that one project.
• They don't need the quarterly subscription.
• On invite to bid, a vendor can stay a guest or sign up officially.

The fee covers the whole tender, from bidding through contract to payment. You can use as much or as little of it as you need.

Are you using AI?

Yes. While we champion human creativity, we use AI to support efficiency—helping automate tender creation, matchmaking, legal documentation, and profile building.

Can I cancel at any time?

Yes, but please note: for access to bid pools above $100k, platform fees are billed quarterly and non-refundable. Cancelling simply stops your access to future tenders in that tier—it does not refund previous payments.

Do you sell user data?

Absolutely not. We charge for access to keep the platform ad-free and your data private. If you pay for the product, it means you're not the product.