An Invitation to Tender (ITT) is a formal document—also called Request for Tender or Call for Tender—issued by a buyer to qualified suppliers, inviting them to submit a bid for a contract. In open procedures, the contract notice itself acts as the ITT, available to any interested party. In restricted or two-stage procedures, only shortlisted candidates receive the ITT. It typically includes all necessary instructions for preparing the submission, such as technical specifications, evaluation criteria, contract terms, and submission deadlines.
In public procurement, particularly within the EU, the ITT carries significant legal weight. It serves as the foundation for the procurement process by setting out the terms under which potential suppliers compete and ensuring that offers are evaluated fairly and transparently. The ITT must align with EU procurement principles, such as non-discrimination, equal treatment, and transparency, and must reflect any information previously advertised in notices.
In practice, the ITT is the core document bidders work from. It dictates how they must structure their proposals, what documentation to include, and how to meet the procurement requirements. Properly drafted ITTs contribute to a smoother, legally compliant tendering process and help both buyers and bidders avoid misunderstandings or disputes later on.
You can also learn more about ITT in our article.
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