Contract notice

A Contract Notice is the official advertisement that launches a public procurement procedure. In the EU, this notice is published in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ S) via the Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) portal when the estimated contract value exceeds EU thresholds. The notice functions as the “tender announcement,” communicating essential information such as the description of the contract opportunity, eligibility and exclusion criteria, award and selection parameters, deadlines, and instructions on how to obtain tender documents.

In EU procurement practice, publishing a Contract Notice ensures transparency and equal access to market opportunities. Authorities use it to invite potential bidders across the EU to participate under clearly defined terms. The notice may indicate the applicable procurement procedure—such as open, restricted, or negotiated—and includes CPV codes and relevant national or regional codes to help suppliers identify appropriate opportunities efficiently.

In practical terms, the Contract Notice triggers the competitive process. It provides suppliers with sufficient time and detailed guidance to prepare compliant bids. Through its wide publication and standardized format, the Contract Notice plays a central role in ensuring fair competition, enhancing visibility of public contracts, and maintaining trust in the procurement system.