Participation in Public Tenders
22 July 2013Q: Do I have to register a company in Bulgaria in order to take part in public tenders? If I have a local partner, do I have to set up a joint venture in Bulgaria in order to take part in public tenders?
A: As a matter of first principles, any individual or organization can take part in a public procurement process in Bulgaria, irrespective of whether they are Bulgarian or foreign resident or registered.
Consortia and associations of such persons enjoy this right likewise.
However, the awarding authority would typically issue tender documentation containing precise requirements regarding the legal form, legal, financial and technical capabilities expected of participants in the tender.
It is a common for organizations to form joint ventures with local partners in order to more easily meet the requirements set by the awarding authority. Local partners may have good know-how and this may be one of the reasons why you wish to work with them, but you and they do not have to form a joint venture. A joint venture can be structured as either a new organization separate from those of the two joint venture partners or as a contractual arrangement negotiated with a local partner.
For more information, please contact New Balkans Law Office at: [email protected] or via our contact form.