Selection stage

The selection stage is the first step of two-stage procurement procedures — such as the restricted procedure, competitive dialogue or innovation partnership. Interested companies initially submit only their qualification documents.

The authority assesses which candidates are technically, financially and reliably suitable against the selection criteria and invites a shortlist to tender. Only those who pass the selection may submit a bid at all.

For bidders this means: the first deadline is the request-to-participate deadline — miss it and you are out before the real competition begins. And the submitted qualification evidence often decides more than the later price.