Article 31 of the Saudi Government Tenders and Procurement Law
المادة 31 من نظام المنافسات والمشتريات الحكومية · الفصل الثالث: المنافسة على مرحلتين
The article allows the government entity to put out a tender in two stages if the final technical specifications and contractual conditions cannot be fully and precisely determined because of the works' complex and specialized nature.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للجهة الحكومية طرح المنافسة على مرحلتين إذا تعذر تحديد المواصفات الفنية والشروط التعاقدية النهائية تحديداً كاملاً ودقيقاً؛ بسبب الطبيعة المعقدة والتخصصية لبعض الأعمال والمشتريات وفقاً لما توضحه اللائحة.
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 31 explained in plain English
This article gives the government entity a special method of putting out, the two-stage tender, which it uses when it cannot determine precisely from the start what it wants.
Some works and procurement are complex and specialized, so it is hard to describe them finally in advance. The text therefore allows this method on two conditions together:
- That it is not possible to fully and precisely determine the final technical specifications and contractual conditions.
- That the reason for this is the complex and specialized nature of some works and procurement.
Using this method is optional for the entity and not mandatory. The article does not explain how the two stages are run or what takes place in each, but refers that to the Implementing Regulations of the Law, which must be consulted to learn the procedures.
This article falls among the contracting methods the Law regulates: Article 30 regulates the limited tender and its cases, and Article 32 regulates direct purchase and its cases, while this article deals with a different case, caused by the unclear specifications and not by the value of the works or the number of suppliers.
If your enterprise is taking part in a tender put out by this method and you have a question about your rights in it, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative disputes and government contracts.
Practical example
A government entity in Riyadh wanted to implement a specialized technology system to manage complex data, and could not write precise final technical specifications and contractual conditions given its specialized nature. It decided to put out the tender in two stages, and followed what the Implementing Regulations explain in running the two stages.
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 31 of the Saudi Government Tenders and Procurement Law
What is meant by a two-stage tender?
It is a method of putting out that a government entity may use if it cannot fully and precisely determine the final technical specifications and contractual conditions because of the complex and specialized nature of the works or procurement.
Is the government entity required to use two stages for complex projects?
No. The text says "the government entity may", so it is an option available to it when its conditions are met and not an obligation.
Where do I find the details of the procedures for the two stages?
The article refers that to the Implementing Regulations of the Law, which explain how to apply this method.
More articles on Public and Limited Tenders
- Article 6
The article subjects public tenders to three principles: openness, transparency and equal opportunity.
تخضع المنافسة العامة لمبادئ العلانية والشفافية وتكافؤ الفرص.
- Article 26
The article bars splitting works and procurement in order to bring them within the authority for direct purchase, limited tenders or the authority of delegated officials.
لا تجوز تجزئة الأعمال والمشتريات من أجل الوصول بها إلى صلاحية الشراء المباشر أو المنافسة المحدودة أو صلاحيات المسؤولين المفوَضين.
- Article 28
The article makes the public tender the standard method for putting out all government works and procurement, except what is excepted under the Law's provisions.
تطرح جميع الأعمال والمشتريات في منافسة عامة عدا ما يستثنى منها بموجب أحكام النظام.
- Article 29
The article requires a public tender to be announced on the portal as the Implementing Regulations explain, and refers to the Regulations the means of announcement if that is not possible for technical reasons.
1- يتم الإعلان عن المنافسة العامة في البوابة، وفقاً لما توضحه اللائحة. 2- تحدد اللائحة وسيلة الإعلان عن المنافسة العامة إذا تعذر الإعلان عنها في البوابة لأسباب
- Article 30
The article allows the government entity to contract by limited tender in five cases, including those not exceeding SAR 500,000 in estimated value, urgent cases and consulting services.
للجهة الحكومية التعاقد بأسلوب المنافسة المحدودة في الحالات الآتية: 1- إذا كانت الأعمال والمشتريات لا تتوافر إلا لدى عدد محدود من المقاولين أو الموردين أو المتعه
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.