Procurement procedures
Open procedure
Definition
A single-stage procurement process where any interested supplier can submit a full tender response. There is no pre-qualification or shortlisting step — all compliant tenders are evaluated.
The open procedure is the simplest route to market in public procurement. The buyer publishes a contract notice, sets a deadline, and evaluates every tender it receives. There is no selection questionnaire, no shortlist, no interview stage — the full competition happens in one round.
This directness makes the open procedure popular for straightforward purchases where the buyer knows exactly what they want. Commoditised goods, routine services, and lower-value contracts frequently use this route. Above-threshold services and supplies regularly use it too.
For bidders, the open procedure means lower pursuit costs (no PQQ to complete) but potentially more competition, since any supplier can submit. Your bid quality has to stand on its own — there is no earlier filter removing weaker competitors.
Why it matters for bidders
Open procedures are the most common route for SME-accessible contracts. Because there is no pre-qualification gate, you compete purely on the strength of your tender response. Getting your quality score right is everything.
How Skim helps
Skim's Bid Analysis agent evaluates open procedure opportunities against your track record and capabilities, scoring your likely competitiveness before you invest 20+ hours writing a response.
Related terms
Restricted procedure
A two-stage procurement process where suppliers first complete a selection questionnaire to be shortlisted, and only shortlisted candidates are invited to submit a full tender.
Contract notice
A formal advertisement published on procurement portals announcing that a buyer intends to award a contract, inviting suppliers to express interest or submit tenders.
Evaluation criteria
The specific factors and their weightings used by a buyer to assess and score tender responses, typically covering technical quality, methodology, staff, price, and social value.
Procurement thresholds
The financial values that determine which procurement rules apply to a public sector contract — below-threshold contracts follow lighter rules, while above-threshold contracts must comply with full procurement regulations including mandatory advertising and specific procedure requirements.