Article 6 of the Saudi Government Tenders and Procurement Law
المادة 6 من نظام المنافسات والمشتريات الحكومية · الفصل الثالث: المبادئ الأساسية
The article subjects public tenders to three principles: openness, transparency and equal opportunity.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تخضع المنافسة العامة لمبادئ العلانية والشفافية وتكافؤ الفرص.
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 6 explained in plain English
This article sets out the principles governing public tenders, which are three:
- Openness: A public tender is put out publicly, not in secret, so that those wishing to take part know of it.
- Transparency: The tender procedures are clear and open to competitors.
- Equal opportunity: Competitors' opportunities are equal, with none favored without a basis in the Law.
How do they relate to the other articles?
- Article 5 applies these principles when it requires clear, unified information to be provided to competitors at a set time.
- Article 7 confirms that bids may be accepted and contracted on only in accordance with the Law's provisions, so these principles may not be bypassed by procedures outside the Law.
- These principles carry out the Law's objectives in Article 2, among them ensuring transparency and equal opportunity.
The article speaks specifically of the public tender, and does not itself detail the announcement or the procedures, which other articles of the Law and its Implementing Regulations regulate.
Anyone who believes a public tender he took part in violated these principles may consult a lawyer who specializes in government contracts and administrative disputes to assess his position.
Practical example
A supply firm in Abha learned after the submission deadline had passed that a government entity had put out a public tender for supplying office furniture without an announcement allowing those interested to know of it. This situation raises the question of whether the principle of openness, to which public tenders are subject under this article, was respected.
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 6 of the Saudi Government Tenders and Procurement Law
What principles do public tenders follow?
They are subject to the principles of openness, transparency and equal opportunity.
Can a public tender be put out without an announcement?
The article subjects public tenders to the principle of openness, and other articles of the Law and its Implementing Regulations regulate how they are announced.
Can a bid be accepted outside the Law's procedures?
No. Article 7 provides that bids may be accepted and contracted on only in accordance with the Law's provisions.
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 7
The article provides that bids may not be accepted, and contracts may not be made on them, except in accordance with the provisions of the Government Tenders and Procurement Law.
لا يجوز قبول العروض والتعاقد بموجبها إلا طبقاً لأحكام النظام.
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.