1. Understanding the threshold concept

1.1 What is a threshold?

The threshold is the pre-tax value of a contract, above which the public purchaser must comply with certain obligations.

A distinction must be made between advertising thresholds and procedural thresholds.

• Advertising thresholds are those above which the public purchaser must advertise the consultation.

• Procedural thresholds are those above which the public purchaser must use a formalized procedure: he is not free to choose how to organize the consultation procedure.

( see Knowing the fundamental principles of public procurement and their practical implications