When bidding on a public contract, you must meet certain requirements before your submission is substantively evaluated. These selection criteria determine whether you can even participate. In this article, we explain what these criteria entail and how to prepare for them.

What Are Selection Criteria?

Selection criteria are requirements that contracting authorities set to determine whether a contractor is suitable to execute the contract. They form an initial filter: if you don’t meet the selection criteria, your submission won’t be further evaluated.

There are three categories:

Exclusion grounds — Reasons why you may not participate
Eligibility requirements — Minimum requirements for capacity and capability
Selection criteria — Criteria to limit the number of candidates

Exclusion Grounds

Certain situations automatically exclude you from participation. There are mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds.

Mandatory Exclusion Grounds

You are excluded if you have been convicted of:

Participation in a criminal organization
Corruption
Fraud
Terrorist offenses
Money laundering
Child labor

Discretionary Exclusion Grounds

The contracting authority may exclude you for:

Bankruptcy or insolvency
Serious professional misconduct
Failure to pay taxes or social contributions
Violation of environmental, social, or labor law
False statements in previous procedures

Eligibility Requirements

In addition to exclusion grounds, contracting authorities set requirements for your financial and technical capacity.

Financial and Economic Standing

Typical requirements are:

Turnover requirement — Minimum annual turnover (often 2× contract value)
Solvency requirement — Ratio of equity to total assets
Insurance — Professional and/or business liability insurance

Technical and Professional Ability

Contracting authorities want proof of your expertise:

References — Comparable contracts from the past 3-5 years
Certifications — ISO, VCA, or industry-specific quality marks
Personnel — Availability of qualified staff
Resources — Required equipment or facilities

How to Meet Selection Criteria

1. Keep Your References Current

Make sure you always have an up-to-date overview of:

Completed contracts with value and duration
Contact details of clients (for satisfaction statements)
Specific results and performance

2. Prepare Standard Documents

Many documents are regularly requested:

Extract from the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE)
Criminal record extract (model 596.1)
Annual accounts (last 3 years)
Copies of certificates
Professional liability insurance

3. Work Together in Consortium

Don’t meet all requirements on your own? Consider:

Consortium — Bid together with a partner
Subcontracting — Hire expertise for specific parts
Reliance on third parties — Borrow capacity from another company

4. Use the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD)

The ESPD is a standard form with which you provisionally demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria. You only need to provide supporting documents once you’re selected as the winner.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these pitfalls:

Incomplete references — Ensure all requested details are provided
Expired certificates — Check validity
Too optimistic interpretation — When in doubt: ask for clarification
Starting too late — Some documents take time (e.g., criminal record)

Proportionality of Requirements

Contracting authorities must set proportionate requirements. A turnover requirement of 10× the contract value, for example, is not reasonable. If you find requirements disproportionate, you can raise this through the clarification notes.

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Selection Criteria in Public Procurement: What You Need to Know