Types of contracts
The arrangements for competitive tendering and publicising contracts for works, supplies and services depend on the contract value:
Services
| Value of the contract | Procedure to be followed |
|---|---|
| ≥€ 200,000 | International restricted tender procedure |
| <€ 200,000 but >€ 10,000 | Negotiated procedure |
| ≤€ 10,000 | Single tender |
Supplies
| Value of the contract | Procedure to be followed |
|---|---|
| ≥€ 150,000 | International open tender procedure |
| <€ 150,000 but ≥€ 60,000 | Local open tender procedure |
| <€ 60,000 but >€ 10,000 | Negotiated procedure |
| ≤€ 10,000 | Single tender |
Works
| Value of the contract | Procedure to be followed |
|---|---|
| ≥€ 5,000,000 | International open tender procedure |
| <€ 5,000,000 but ≥€ 300,000 | Local open tender procedure |
| <€ 300,000 but >€ 10,000 | Negotiated procedure |
| ≤€ 10,000 | Single tender |
In the case of mixed contracts covering a combination of works, supplies or services, the Contracting Authority determines the procurement procedure to be used (with the agreement of the European Commission). This will depend on which of the components (works, supplies or services) prevails, an assessment which must be made on the basis of the value and strategic importance of each component relative to the contract as a whole.
General rules for contracts
The thresholds given in the tables are based on the maximum budget for the contract in question (including any co-financing). Where contracts are subdivided in lots, the value of each lot shall be taken into account when calculating the overall threshold.
No contract may be split simply to evade compliance with the rules established in Annex IV. If there is any doubt about how to estimate the value of the contract, the Contracting Authority must consult the European Commission on the matter before embarking on the procurement procedure.
Whatever the procedure used, the Contracting Authority must ensure that conditions are such as to allow fair competition. Wherever there is an obvious and significant disparity between the prices proposed and the services offered by a tenderer, or a significant disparity in the prices proposed by the various tenderers (especially in cases in which publicly-owned companies, non-profit associations or non-governmental organisations are taking part in a tender procedure alongside private companies), the Contracting Authority must carry out checks and request any additional information necessary. The Contracting Authority must keep such additional information confidential.
The tender documents must be drafted in accordance with best international practice. If they do not have their own documents, Partners may use the models published on the European Commission’s web site relating to external actions. See tender documents for:
The European Commission will not publish the tender documents established by the Partner.
The time-limits for receipt of tenders and requests to participate must be long enough to allow interested parties a reasonable and appropriate period to prepare and submit their tenders.
All requests to participate and tenders declared as satisfying the requirements must be evaluated and ranked by an evaluation committee on the basis of the exclusion, selection and award criteria announced in advance. This committee must have an odd number of members, at least three, with all the technical and administrative capacities necessary to give an informed opinion on the tenders.
Sources and useful links: