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Public procurement and tenders

Signature de contrat
© Amina Atar sur Unsplash

As the French agency for international development cooperation, Expertise France issues tenders and awards public sector contracts. How we do so is strictly governed and complies with the French Public Procurement Code. Discover our procedures and how to apply.

View list of tenders and public sector contracts

As part of our agency's activities, we enter into public sector contracts with private and public providers. These contracts are a legally binding agreement between Expertise France and a company, consultancy, research firm or other organisation to provide goods or services or to carry out works.

You can access Expertise France’s public procurement notices via the PLACE portal (marches-publics.gouv.fr). Here are the key steps for bidders:

  • Create an account on PLACE using the registration link
  • Browse available tenders on PLACE by searching for Expertise France notices
  • Download the tender documents (specifications, instructions, etc.)
  • Ask questions via the portal if you require clarifications during tendering
  • Submit your tender online before the deadline
  • Track the contract award process and outcome
View all public procurement opportunities

Resources for download

In all activities, our agency adheres to the French Public Procurement Code as well as to the following principles:

  • Equal treatment: all bidders must be treated fairly
  • Transparency: essential information must be accessible
  • Competition: tender selection must ensure genuine competition
  • Social and environmental responsibility: CSR criteria are considered as part of the procurement process

Our public procurement procedure varies depending on the amount and nature of the contract:

  • Direct award (no notice or competition) for contracts under €40,000 (excl. VAT). Under specific conditions, contracts of this value may be awarded directly to a supplier.
  • Streamlined procurement for contracts of between €40,000 and €200,000 (excl. VAT). A simplified notice is issued and several bidders must be considered.

Formal procurement with a call for tenders, competition, etc. for contracts over €200,000 (excl. VAT). A formal notice must be issued and the rules of competition observed.

Resources for bidders

If you have questions about how to apply for a public procurement contract awarded by Expertise France, find out more below.

Companies can browse open tenders on the PLACE portal. A notice must be issued on an e-procurement platform for goods or service contracts of €40,000 or more (excl. VAT), and for works contracts over €100,000 (excl. VAT).

PLACE is the official French government portal for public sector contracts, including those issued by Expertise France. It allows users to view tender notices, download tender documents, submit bids, and submit queries online.

We publish all our tenders on PLACE, the official French public procurement portal. To see our current tenders:

  • Go to the Advanced search function
  • Go to the field marked “Public entity” and click on “Search in a list”
  • Select “Autres organismes”
  • A second field will appear containing the words “AO - Autres organismes”. Click on this field and scroll down to “AO/EF-SIEGE - EXPERTISE FRANCE”
  • Make sure to select the button “Include descendants” to see current tenders for both our head office and our in-country offices
  • Select the search dates to your preferred period.

Expertise France complies with the French Public Procurement Code and adheres to the principles of equal access, fair treatment, transparency and proportionality. It also ensures the prevention of conflicts of interest, fraud, money laundering, and the financing of illegal, criminal or terrorist activities throughout the procurement process.

A bid cannot be modified once it has been formally submitted. However, before submitting your file, you may ask questions – this step is important if you need clarification prior to confirming your bid.

Payment is generally made after the good or service has been received or used unless otherwise stipulated in the contract (e.g., advance payment or payment in installments). All specific conditions are outlined in the procurement contract.

Expertise France must inform the selected contractor as soon as a decision is made. Other bidders receive a written rejection with justification. For formal procurements, an 11-day “standstill” period must be observed before the contract is officially awarded.