Tenders
Public tenders in Kosovo: e-Procurement guide
How a business bids for public tenders in Kosovo: e-Procurement registration, required documents, bid guarantees, award criteria and complaints to the PRB.
Andi B. · · 4 min read
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Public institutions in Kosovo buy goods, services and works worth hundreds of millions of euros every year: from office paper and hospital food to roads and schools. For many businesses, public tenders are a steady source of income. But the process is formal, and one missing document can knock out the best bid.
Where to find tenders
All public procurement procedures run on the e-Procurement platform. There you:
- see contract notices by authority, category and value;
- download the tender dossier;
- ask questions for clarification;
- submit your bid electronically;
- receive the award decision.
The rules are set by the Public Procurement Regulatory Commission (PPRC, locally KRPP), and complaints are heard by the Procurement Review Body (PRB, locally OSHP).
Step 1: register as an economic operator
To bid, the business registers on e-Procurement with its NUI and a responsible person. Make sure your ARBK details (name, address, authorised persons) are correct, because documents are checked against them. See Changing business details in ARBK.
Step 2: read the dossier carefully
The tender dossier contains:
- technical specifications: exactly what is being bought;
- selection criteria: minimum turnover, experience with similar contracts, staff, equipment, certificates;
- the award criterion: lowest price or the most economically advantageous tender (price plus quality);
- the deadline and form of submission;
- a bid guarantee, if required.
Make a checklist of every requirement. Most bids are eliminated for missing documents, not for price.
Common documents
| Document | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Business registration certificate | ARBK |
| Certificate of no tax debts | ATK |
| Certificate of no criminal record | Court |
| Certificate of no bankruptcy | Court |
| Financial statements or turnover | Accountant, ATK |
| References for similar contracts | Previous clients |
| Licences for licensed activities | The relevant ministry or agency |
Certificates have a validity period, so get them in time. See also Business licences and permits.
Bid and performance guarantees
Larger tenders require:
- a bid guarantee: a bank or insurance guarantee showing you won't withdraw your bid;
- a performance guarantee once you win, usually a percentage of the contract value.
Guarantees cost money and take time to get from the bank. Build them into your price.
How to price
- Read the quantities and deadlines carefully; the price must cover the whole contract.
- Include VAT as the form requires.
- Don't offer an abnormally low price: the authority can ask you to justify it and reject it.
- Plan for payment terms. Public institutions have legal payment deadlines, but delays happen; plan your cash flow.
After the bids are opened
The contracting authority evaluates the bids and publishes the notice of decision. If you think the decision is wrong:
- ask the contracting authority for a review, within the short legal deadline;
- if you're not satisfied, complain to the PRB, with a complaint fee.
Deadlines are days, not weeks. Check the platform every day during this period.
Joint bids and subcontracting
When one business can't meet the criteria alone, several businesses can bid as a group of economic operators, or the winner can use subcontractors if the dossier allows it. Before teaming up with a partner, check its status, owners and age on Kerko. See How to verify a business.
Winning a tender often needs working capital before the first payment. See Business loans.
Frequently asked questions
Where are public tenders published in Kosovo?
On the e-Procurement platform, where contracting authorities publish notices, tender dossiers and decisions. Bids are submitted there too, electronically.
Can an Individual Business bid for a tender?
Yes. Any registered economic operator can bid if it meets the tender's selection criteria, such as turnover, experience and staff.
What documents are usually required?
The registration certificate, an ATK certificate of no tax debts, court certificates of no criminal record and no bankruptcy plus the proof of technical and financial capacity the dossier asks for.
What can I do if I think a tender was awarded unfairly?
You can ask the contracting authority for a review and then complain to the Procurement Review Body (PRB, known locally as OSHP), within short legal deadlines.
This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Procedures, deadlines and documents are set by the Law on Public Procurement and the PPRC's rules, and each tender has its own dossier.
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