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A formal document issued by public sector organisations inviting suppliers to submit competitive bids for a specific contract, containing detailed requirements and evaluation criteria.
An Invitation to Tender (ITT) is the formal procurement document that marks the competitive bidding phase of a public sector tender process. It contains comprehensive details about the goods, services or works required, technical specifications, commercial terms, and the criteria by which bids will be evaluated.
The ITT typically includes the contract terms and conditions, pricing schedules, delivery requirements, performance standards, and submission deadlines. Suppliers use this document to prepare their tender responses, ensuring they address all mandatory requirements and evaluation criteria.
Under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the ITT must provide sufficient information for suppliers to prepare competitive and compliant bids. It should specify whether the contract will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender or lowest price.
The ITT follows the pre-qualification stage (if applicable) and represents the substantive phase where detailed commercial and technical proposals are requested. For contracts above EU thresholds, the ITT must comply with transparency and equal treatment principles.
Public bodies must ensure the ITT provides clear, unambiguous requirements and realistic timescales for response preparation. The document becomes legally significant as it forms the basis for the eventual contract terms.
A well-constructed ITT is crucial for achieving value for money and ensuring fair competition. Poorly drafted ITTs can lead to non-compliant bids, procurement challenges, or unsuitable contract awards. The ITT protects both buyers and suppliers by establishing clear expectations and evaluation parameters from the outset.