How to Bid on French Public Tenders: BOAMP & PLACE Step by Step

1. How the French system works

French public procurement is governed by the Code de la commande publique. Purchases below the threshold use a more flexible "adapted procedure" (procédure adaptée — MAPA); those above the EU thresholds use formalized procedures (e.g. open tender — appel d'offres ouvert). The EU thresholds are updated every two years.

The distinctive feature: publication and transaction happen in different places. The notice is announced on BOAMP (and on TED/OJEU above the threshold); the tender documentation (DCE — Dossier de Consultation des Entreprises) is downloaded and the bid submitted on the authority's buyer-profile platform. The notice states which platform to use.

2. Where you bid: BOAMP, PLACE and buyer profiles

BOAMP is only a notice bulletin (published by DILA); you do not bid there. The bid is submitted on the buyer profile (profil d'acheteur) platform the notice points to.

For the central state, that platform is PLACE (marches-publics.gouv.fr). Local authorities and bodies use different platforms: Maximilien (Île-de-France), AWS-achat, e-marchespublics, Megalis/Dématis and others. So a single account does not get you into every tender — you must register on the platform indicated in the notice.

3. Dématérialisation: when is e-procedure mandatory?

Above a given threshold and where there is a call for competition, the whole process runs electronically (dématérialisée); paper bids are not accepted. As of 1 April 2026 the threshold is €60,000 excl. VAT for supplies and services (previously €40,000); for works it is €100,000 excl. VAT.

Very small purchases below these thresholds may be awarded directly (gré à gré) and fall outside the electronic obligation. All competitive tenders above the threshold are submitted via the electronic platform.

4. Registration and identity: SIRET and foreign firms

French firms are identified by a SIRET (business identification number). Foreign firms do not need a SIRET at the bid stage: you can bid using your national registration number (or an international identification number).

The SIRET is obtained at contract signing via the INPI single window (guichet unique). Important warning: an inconsistent SIRET/identification number across documents can invalidate the entire file — write your identity details identically on every form.

5. Electronic signature

Bid platforms require, where needed, an eIDAS-qualified (or RGS**) electronic signature certificate. Since 1 April 2019 a signature is not mandatory at the submission stage; the signature is required when the tender is won and the commitment deed (acte d'engagement) is signed.

However, the authority may require a signature at submission in the tender rules (règlement de consultation). Read the rules carefully; obtaining a qualified certificate takes time, so plan it early.

6. Candidature documents: DC1, DC2, DC4 or DUME

A bid has two parts: the candidature and the offer. In the candidature you prove your firm's eligibility.

Documents accepted for the candidature:

• DC1 (Lettre de candidature): candidate/group declaration letter.
• DC2 (Déclaration du candidat): financial and technical capacity declaration.
• DC4: subcontractor declaration (if any).
• DUME (European Single Procurement Document / ESPD): can be used electronically instead of DC1+DC2; the authority may make DUME mandatory.

7. Bid documents: acte d'engagement and price schedule

The offer is prepared using the templates the authority provides in the DCE.

Typical bid documents:

• Acte d'engagement (ATTRI1): the commitment deed — the contractual offer with price and duration; signed when you win.
• Price schedule: unit price schedule (BPU), detailed estimate breakdown (DQE), or global/lump-sum breakdown (DPGF).
• Mémoire technique: the technical proposal/methodology — the section where quality criteria are assessed.

8. Evaluation: most economically advantageous tender

In France the rule is to award the contract to the most economically advantageous tender (offre économiquement la plus avantageuse). This is usually a weighted combination of price and quality criteria (technical value, lead time, environmental/social criteria); price-only evaluation is the exception.

The mémoire technique (technical proposal) is therefore decisive in most tenders: the criteria weights are announced in the règlement de consultation; read those weights and structure your bid accordingly.

9. Deadlines, language and standstill

The key deadlines and conditions are stated in the notice and the tender rules.

• Bid language: French.
• Standstill (mandatory waiting period): between the rejection notice and contract signature, 11 days for an electronic notice and 16 days for a postal notice. This window lets unsuccessful bidders exercise their right of appeal.
• The submission deadline and bid validity period are stated separately in each tender's rules.

10. Appeals: référé précontractuel and contractuel

French administrative justice offers two main fast-track appeals:

Critical deadlines:

• Référé précontractuel (BEFORE signature): filed at the administrative court (tribunal administratif) within the standstill period. The judge usually rules within 20 days.
• Référé contractuel (AFTER signature): filed within 31 days of the award notice in the OJEU (or 6 months if no notice was published).
• A cassation appeal to the Conseil d'État may be filed within 15 days of the judge's order.

11. Critical notes for foreign bidders

• Bids are submitted in French — a local partner or sworn-translation capacity is essential.
• There is no single portal: you must register on the buyer-profile platform the notice points to (PLACE / Maximilien / AWS …).
• Plan early for an eIDAS-qualified electronic signature certificate (required at award/contract stage).
• You can bid without a SIRET; the SIRET is obtained at signing via INPI. Keep identification numbers consistent across all documents.
• Track tenders above the EU threshold via TED/OJEU as well.