Article 19 of the Saudi Government Tenders and Procurement Law
المادة 19 من نظام المنافسات والمشتريات الحكومية · الفصل الثامن: شروط التعامل وتأهيل المتنافسين
The article requires the government entity to carry out pre-qualification or post-qualification, and where pre-qualification is carried out, limits the invitation to the tender to those who passed it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- على الجهة الحكومية إجراء تأهيل مسبق أو لاحق في الأعمال والمشتريات وفقاً لما توضحه اللائحة.
2- في حال إجراء تأهيل مسبق، تقتصر الدعوة للمشاركة في المنافسة على من اجتاز التأهيل المسبق فقط.
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 19 explained in plain English
This article governs qualifying competitors in two paragraphs:
1. The duty to qualify: The government entity must carry out pre-qualification or post-qualification in works and procurement, as the Implementing Regulations explain. The difference between them, according to the definitions in Article 1:
- Pre-qualification: The entity verifies that competitors have the necessary qualifications and capabilities before they submit bids.
- Post-qualification: The entity verifies that the bidder has the qualifications and capabilities after selecting the best bid and before awarding to him.
2. The effect of pre-qualification: If the entity carries out pre-qualification, the invitation to take part in the tender is limited to those who passed it. Whoever did not pass pre-qualification is not invited to take part.
Relation to other articles:
- Article 18 requires that those with whom government entities deal meet the necessary conditions, and qualification is the means of verifying them.
- Article 20 requires qualification criteria to be objective and measurable, relate to technical, financial and administrative capabilities and contractual commitments, and be proportionate to the nature, size and value of the project.
The article does not specify when the entity chooses pre-qualification and when post-qualification, since it refers that to the Implementing Regulations.
Practical example
A government entity put out a hospital construction project in Najran and carried out pre-qualification. A contracting company applied for qualification and did not pass, then wanted to submit its bid in the tender. Under paragraph 2, the invitation to take part is limited to those who passed pre-qualification, so this company is not invited.
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 19 of the Saudi Government Tenders and Procurement Law
Can I take part in the tender without passing pre-qualification?
If the entity carries out pre-qualification, the invitation to take part is limited to those who passed it.
What is the difference between pre-qualification and post-qualification?
Pre-qualification takes place before bids are submitted, and post-qualification takes place after the best bid is selected and before award, under the definitions in Article 1.
Is qualification mandatory in government tenders?
Yes. The article requires the government entity to carry out pre-qualification or post-qualification as the Implementing Regulations explain.
More articles on Qualifying Bidders and Dealing Conditions
- 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 18
The article requires those government entities deal with to meet the conditions needed to carry out works and secure procurement, and refers the details to the Implementing Regulations.
يجب أن تتوافر في الأشخاص الذين تتعامل معهم الجهات الحكومية الشروط اللازمة لتنفيذ الأعمال وتأمين المشتريات وفقاً لما توضحه اللائحة.
- Article 20
The article requires pre- or post-qualification criteria to be objective and measurable, relate to technical, financial and administrative capabilities and contractual commitments, and be proportionate to the project.
يجب أن تكون معايير التأهيل المسبق أو اللاحق موضوعية وقابلة للقياس ومتعلقة بالقدرات الفنية والمالية والإدارية ومقدار الالتزامات التعاقدية للمتنافسين، وبما يتناسب
- Article 27
The article allows bids submitted jointly to be accepted in government tenders, and refers the regulation of this to the Implementing Regulations.
يجوز قبول العروض بالتضامن وفقاً لما توضحه اللائحة.
- Article 90
The Article requires government entities to contract directly with those authorized to work and bars brokerage, and a distributor or agent approved by the original producer is not a broker.
يكون التعاقد مع المصرح لهم بالعمل مباشـرة، ولا تجوز الوساطة في التعاقد، ولا يُعد وسيطاً الموزّع أو الوكيل المعتمد من المنتج الأصلي.
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.