Article 15 of the Saudi Government Tenders and Procurement Law
المادة 15 من نظام المنافسات والمشتريات الحكومية · الفصل السادس: التنظيم المؤسسي
The article requires entities to buy what is on the unified procurement lists through its framework agreements unless it approves otherwise, and to submit feasibility studies and tender documents to it before putting them out, with specific exceptions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا يجوز للجهة الحكومية تأمين المشتريات أو تنفيذ الأعمال الواردة في القوائم التي تعدها الجهة المختصة بالشراء الموحد إلا من خلال الاتفاقيات الإطارية التي أبرمتها الجهة المختصة بالشراء الموحد.
2- استثناء من حكم الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة، للجهة الحكومية -بعد موافقة الجهة المختصة بالشراء الموحد- تنفيذ الأعمال وتأمين المشتريات الواردة في القوائم وفقاً لأحكام النظام.
3- على الجهة الحكومية قبل طرح مشاريعها أو أعمالها أو قبل إجراء التأهيل المسبق -إن وجد- عرض دراسة الجدوى والتكلفة التقديرية ووثائق المنافسة ووثائق التأهيل المسبق -إن وجدت- وما اتخذته من إجراءات، على الجهة المختصة بالشراء الموحد؛ لمراجعتها خلال المدة التي تحددها اللائحة، فإن لم ترد الجهة المختصة بالشراء الموحد خلال هذه المدة عدت موافقة، وعلى الجهة الحكومية الالتزام بما تطلبه الجهة المختصة بالشراء الموحد من تعديلات.
4- استثناء من حكم الفقرة (3) من هذه المادة، للجهة الحكومية طرح مشاريعها أو أعمالها أو إجراء التأهيل المسبق -إن وجد- دون عرض دراسة الجدوى والتكلفة التقديرية ووثائق المنافسة ووثائق التأهيل المسبق-إن وجدت- وما اتخذته من إجراءات، على الجهة المختصة بالشراء الموحد؛ وذلك في الأعمال والمشتريات التي لا تزيد تكلفتها التقديرية على المبلغ الذي تحدده اللائحة أو التي تنطوي على حالة طارئة أو عاجلة، ويكتفى بإشعار الجهة المختصة بالشراء الموحد بما تم في شأنها.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 15 explained in plain English
This article governs government entities' relationship with the unified procurement entity in four paragraphs:
1. Buying through framework agreements: For what appears in the lists prepared by the unified procurement entity, a government entity may secure or carry it out only through the framework agreements that entity has concluded.
2. The exception: A government entity may carry out what is in the lists in accordance with the Law's provisions after the approval of the unified procurement entity.
3. Submission before putting out: Before putting out its projects or works, or before pre-qualification if any, the government entity submits to the unified procurement entity the feasibility study, the estimated cost, the tender documents and the pre-qualification documents if any, and the steps it has taken. That entity reviews them within a period set by the Implementing Regulations; if it does not respond within it, that is considered approval. The government entity must comply with the amendments requested.
4. Exception from submission: Putting out or qualification may proceed without prior submission in two cases, with it being enough to notify the unified procurement entity of what was done:
- Works and procurement whose estimated cost does not exceed an amount set by the Implementing Regulations.
- What involves an emergency or urgent case within their meaning in Article 1.
This article is linked to Article 14, which gives the unified procurement entity the preparation of the lists and the review of feasibility studies.
Practical example
A government entity in Tabuk needs cars for its employees, and cars appear in a list for which the unified procurement entity has concluded a framework agreement. The entity may not put out a tender of its own, but buys through the agreement, unless it obtains the unified procurement entity's approval to carry out the purchase in accordance with the Law's provisions.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 15 of the Saudi Government Tenders and Procurement Law
May a government entity buy outside the framework agreement?
Not for what appears in the unified procurement entity's lists, except after that entity's approval; execution is then in accordance with the Law's provisions.
What if the unified procurement entity does not respond to the study submitted?
If it does not respond within the period set by the Implementing Regulations, that is considered approval.
When does the feasibility study not need to be submitted to the unified procurement entity?
If the estimated cost does not exceed the amount set by the Implementing Regulations, or the case is an emergency or urgent one; it is then enough to notify it of what was done.
More articles on General Provisions and Principles of Government Tenders
- Article 1
The article defines the key terms used in the Government Tenders and Procurement Law, such as government entities, the portal, the framework agreement, qualification, the standstill period, and emergency and urgent cases.
يقصد بالعبارات والمصطلحات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني الموضحة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك: النظام: نظام المنافسات والمشتريات الحكومية
- Article 2
The article sets out the Law's objectives: regulating procedures for works and procurement and preventing abuse of influence, achieving the best value for public funds, and promoting integrity, equality, transparency and economic development.
يهدف النظام إلى الآتي: 1- تنظيم الإجراءات ذات الصلة بالأعمال والمشتريات، ومنع استغلال النفوذ وتأثير المصالح الشخصية فيها؛ وذلك حماية للمال العام. 2- تحقيق أفضل
- Article 3
The article requires government entities to deal only with licensed persons, and, when dealing with foreigners inside the Kingdom, to first confirm that there is not more than one qualified local person.
1- تتعامل الجهات الحكومية عند تنفيذ أعمالها وتأمين مشترياتها مع الأشخاص المرخص لهم بذلك، طبقاً للأنظمة والقواعد المتبعة. 2- على الجهة الحكومية عند تعاملها مع أش
- Article 4
The article provides that everyone who meets the conditions for dealing with a government entity is given equal opportunities and treated on an equal footing with others.
يعطى جميع الأشخاص الراغبين في التعامل مع الجهة الحكومية، ممن تتوافر فيهم الشروط التي تؤهلهم لهذا التعامل؛ فرصاً متساوية ويعاملون على قدم المساواة.
- Article 5
The article requires clear, unified information about the required works and procurement to be provided to competitors, and requires that they be able to obtain it at a set time.
تُوفَر للمتنافسين معلومات واضحة وموحدة عن الأعمال والمشتريات المطلوبة، ويمكَنون من الحصول عليها في وقت محدد.
- Article 6
The article subjects public tenders to three principles: openness, transparency and equal opportunity.
تخضع المنافسة العامة لمبادئ العلانية والشفافية وتكافؤ الفرص.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.