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A call for tenders, also known as a call for competition, is an official invitation issued by a contracting authority to invite suppliers to submit bids for a contract. In the EU public procurement framework, this typically takes the form of a contract notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) via the TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) portal. It marks the formal launch of a procurement procedure and includes essential details such as the scope of works, eligibility criteria, submission deadlines, and how interested suppliers can participate.
The contracting authority uses the call for tenders to ensure transparent and open competition. It provides all potential bidders with equal access to information and outlines the rules and prerequisites for participation. The call may specify the procurement procedure to be followed—such as open, restricted, negotiated, or competitive dialogue—based on the nature, complexity, and value of the contract.
In practical terms, responding to a call for tenders initiates the competitive process. Suppliers must review the published documentation, prepare compliant proposals, and submit their bids within the stipulated deadline. Contracting authorities rely on this structured process to evaluate and award contracts in a fair, accountable, and legally sound manner.
