Procurement procedure · Free
Open procedure
Anyone may tender; single stage.
Open procedure
What this is
A procurement method where any interested economic operator may submit a tender in response to a call for competition. Defined in Article 27 of Directive 2014/24/EU.
When you need it
Use this when the contracting authority has published an open call for tenders – typically for contracts where the market is broad, there are no technical restrictions, and the authority wants maximum competition. It is the default procedure unless a restricted or negotiated route is explicitly specified.
How to fill it in
- Locate the contract notice (official journal or e‑procurement portal). Verify that it states Open procedure or cites Article 27.
- Record the deadline for receipt of tenders – see the time limit prescribed in the notice (often linked to Article 30).
- Prepare your tender documents exactly as required in the tender pack: technical specification, price sheet, eligibility evidence, and any forms listed under the selection criteria (Articles 57‑64).
- Complete the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) if required – see the ESPD guide.
- Submit the full dossier before the deadline via the designated electronic system; keep a receipt or confirmation number.
- After submission, monitor any clarification requests and respond within the timeframe indicated in the notice.
What wins points
- Full compliance with selection criteria (Articles 57‑64): provide clear evidence for each criterion rather than simple “yes/no”.
- Timely submission: early receipt confirms you respect the procedural deadline, which evaluators note positively.
- Well‑structured documentation: use the prescribed templates and label all annexes clearly; this reduces administrative penalties during eligibility checks.
How this gets you disqualified
- Missing the required open‑procedure declaration (Article 27) – e.g., submitting a tender without confirming it is for an open call.
- Late submission or failure to obtain a receipt of electronic delivery.
- Incomplete or inaccurate ESPD / eligibility evidence, leading to automatic exclusion under Articles 57‑64.
- Failing to provide required financial thresholds (Article 4) or other mandatory documents cited in the notice.
Template
# Open Procedure Tender – [PROJECT NAME] ## Contract reference - Notice ID: __________ - Publication date: __________ - Deadline for receipt of tenders: __________ (confirm time limit from notice) ## Eligibility checklist (Articles 57‑64) | Criterion | Evidence Provided? | |-----------|--------------------| | Legal capacity | ✔︎ | | Financial threshold (Art 4) | ✔︎ | | Technical capability | ✔︎ | | Absence of exclusion grounds | ✔︎ | ## Submission details - Submission method: __________ - Confirmation number / receipt: __________ - Any clarifications answered: __________
What wins points
A clear, on‑time submission and full compliance with selection criteria (Articles 57‑64) demonstrates eligibility and improves scoring under award criteria.
How this gets you disqualified
Missing the open‑procedure declaration, late receipt, or incomplete ESPD/selection evidence leads to automatic disqualification under Articles 27 and 57‑64.
What an evaluator actually looks for
Evaluator first verifies that the tender is an open procedure (Article 27) and checks all eligibility documents before assessing award criteria.
Sources
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