Complaints procedure for tendering
We have a complaints procedure for contracted services and therefore comply with the Public Procurement Act. The complaints procedure contributes to the swift and careful handling of complaints.
Terms and Conditions
The complaints procedure states, among other things, that we:
- designate at least two people within our organization to act as an independent reporting center. These people have knowledge of procurement and tendering, preferably a legal background, and are not involved in the tender to which the complaint relates;
- include a description of the complaints procedure in our procurement policy;
- For each tender, indicate where entrepreneurs can submit a complaint and how the complaints procedure works.
Submit a complaint to our business complaints desk.
Is your complaint related to a specific tender and/or actions taken under the Public Procurement Act? If so, you can submit a complaint to our business complaints desk.
Who can file a complaint?
Only entrepreneurs who are interested in obtaining a specific government contract may file a complaint:
- interested entrepreneurs;
- (potential) bidders and candidates;
- subcontractors of (potential) tenderers and candidates;
- industry organizations and industry-related advisory centers for entrepreneurs.
Subcontractors may submit a complaint, as long as they do not complain about the relationship between the main contractor and subcontractor. Anonymous complaints are not permitted. However, a trade association may submit a complaint regarding a specific tender that is of concern to one or more entrepreneurs in the sector.
What kind of complaints?
A complaint is a written notification in which you state your reasons for disagreeing with the tender or part thereof. Complaints relate to aspects of tenders that fall within the scope of the Public Procurement Act. Tenders can be European or national. National tenders also include multiple private tenders.
Complaints cannot relate to our procurement policy in general. However, you can submit a complaint if our conduct in a specific procurement procedure contravenes legal provisions or other regulations, such as the applicable principles of transparency, non-discrimination, equal treatment, and proportionality.