PIN (Prior Information Notice)

A Prior Information Notice (PIN) is a preliminary announcement issued by a contracting authority to alert suppliers of an upcoming procurement opportunity. It typically includes a brief description of the procurement and often an estimated timeline for when the formal tender will be launched. The PIN is not a call for competition and does not obligate the authority to proceed with procurement—but it acts as a valuable early warning for market players.

Under EU rules, a PIN may be published between 35 days and 12 months before the formal Contract Notice. When a tender follows a PIN’s publication, contracting authorities may reduce bidding timeframes since suppliers have already been made aware in advance. The PIN may also be used to gather market intelligence or indirectly facilitate early supplier engagement while adhering to transparency and equal treatment principles.

For suppliers, a PIN offers advance notice to assess upcoming opportunities and start preparing resources or forming partnerships. For contracting authorities, it promotes better procurement planning and may streamline later stages. However, because a PIN does not commit to procurement, suppliers should interpret it as a signal—not a guarantee—to mobilize strategic readiness.