Tender

When is a tender used?

Tenders are primarily used in the public sector, where it is mandatory to adhere to public procurement rules. However, private companies also use them when selecting suppliers for large projects. They are most commonly announced in areas such as construction, IT services, transportation, or the supply of medical materials.

How does a tender competition work?

The tender process is usually governed by these steps:

1. Announcement of the tender – The contracting authority publishes the competition conditions, including the specifications of the required services or products.
2. Submission of bids – Interested companies submit their price and technical offers within the specified deadline.
3. Evaluation of bids – The tender committee assesses individual bids based on established criteria, such as price, quality, experience, or delivery times.
4. Selection of the winner – After thorough evaluation, the most advantageous bidder is selected, with whom a contract is subsequently concluded.
5. Control and implementation – During the project implementation, compliance with the terms of the concluded agreement is ensured.

Main principles of tenders in Slovakia

Public tenders in Slovakia are governed by the Public Procurement Act and must meet basic principles:

• Transparency – Information about tenders must be publicly available, and the process must be transparent.
• Non-discrimination – All bidders must have the same conditions when submitting bids.
• Economy and efficiency – The contracting authority must select the economically most advantageous offer, which is not always just the lowest price but also quality and sustainability.
• Equal treatment – No bidder must be favored or discriminated against.

Therefore, the tender is an important tool for fair and efficient allocation of contracts, helping to prevent corruption and ensuring the effective use of financial resources.