Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria define who may bid at all: economic and financial standing (turnover, insurances), technical and professional ability (references, staff, certifications) and reliability — e.g. the absence of exclusion grounds such as criminal convictions or tax debts.

They are assessed in the selection stage or with the bid itself — regardless of how strong the offer is. Missing evidence leads to formal exclusion, even at the best price.

Practical tip: self-declarations like the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) simplify entry — original evidence usually follows only for the winning candidate. Keeping references and certificates centrally maintained answers eligibility demands much faster.