Submission of applications and offers
Public procurement: the key stages of a consultation process

The submission of applications and tenders is subject to rules governing form and deadlines, and compliance with these rules is a prerequisite for the correctness of the procedure. The deadline for receipt of applications and tenders is essential; only bids received by the deadline will be opened.

These rules must be clearly explained to candidates. In practice, they are found in a document called the consultation rules, unless the corresponding information appears in the advertising notice.

In 2008, in a bid to simplify procedures, the double envelope requirement was abolished, requiring candidates for open tenders to present their applications and bids in two separate envelopes.