Examine the documents of the public procurement consultation

Verified 01 April 2026 - Entreprendre Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The consultation documents (formerly known as the company Consultation File or WFD) outline the needs and expectations of the public purchaser. These documents are made available free of charge as soon as the notice is published, and thus allow the companies to decide whether or not to apply for the contract.

Content of Consultation Documents (CED)

The consultation documents (formerly known as the company Consultation File or WFD) define the needs and expectations of the public purchaser. They allow the company to have all the elements to decide to apply and develop its response.

These documents are:

  • Contract notice or call for competition notice : this review can be found on the BOAMP: titleContent, the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) or the digital platforms of local newspapers
  • Consultation Regulation (CR)
  • Special Administrative Clauses (SCAC)
  • Specific Technical Clauses (STC) or Terms of Reference: it contains detailed technical clauses such as technical specifications, standards to be applied, plans.
  • Financial Documents
  • Deed of commitment: this can be completed at the time of the award of the contract by the selected candidate.

Please note

Since the needs of each buyer are specific, it is important to read carefully all consultation documents to respond in a personalized way. We must avoid the standard file that would be used to respond to all public contracts. For more information on the offer proposed by a candidate, refer to the “ responding to the market: preparing the bid dossier ».

Some public procurement contracts refer to a General Administrative Clauses (GAAC) and/or to a General Technical Clauses (GTC) which lay down the administrative and contractual framework for the public procurement contract. They are not not attached to consultation documents.

The use of a SACC or GACC is not mandatory. It applies only if the public contract so states.

The General Administrative Clauses (GAAC) are a standard for the performance of public contracts. They contribute to the implementation of best practices in terms of payment, deadlines, subcontracting, dispute resolution and contract termination.

There are 6 CCAGs according to the market category:

The General Technical Clauses (GTC) set out the technical provisions applicable to categories of contracts. It is found in particular in the contracts for civil engineering works (earthworks, roadways).

Availability of consultation documents 

Consultation documents are available free of charge.

They are obligatorily made available on a buyer profile from the publication of thenotice of call for competition where the market is greater than €60,000 HT. It is on this platform that companies submit their applications and offers. The buyer may decide not to make certain documents available on the buyer's profile for reasons of confidentiality or because they are too large. In this case, it must specify how to obtain these documents.

For more information on the buyer profile, see the “ submit the answer to a public contract and exchange with the public purchaser ».

It's the instructions for use to respond to a public procurement. It sets the deadline for responding to the public contract, the criteria for awarding the tender, etc.

The Consultation Regulation (CR) includes the following elements:

  • Documents to be completed by the applicant (e.g. DC1 and DC2 or Dume: titleContent)
  • Size and format of files to be filed, use or not of electronic signature
  • Possibility of a site visit (e.g. if the proposed contract is for work to be carried out in a school, a site visit may be proposed)
  • Expected content of the offer
  • Deadline for submission of the offer and period of validity of the offer
  • Selection criteria and weighting of the offer
  • Possibility of negotiation

It is a contractual document that brings together all the legal and financial provisions. It organizes the performance of the contract and groups together the administrative rules for the performance of the contract.

It specifies the following:

  • Social or environmental requirements of the public purchaser (e.g. assessment of the carbon footprint in a public works contract)
  • Time limits for performance of the contract
  • Possibility of subcontract or co-treat
  • Advances, installments and guarantees required
  • Payment terms and penalties in case of delay.

Please note

When it comes to a low-value contract, i.e. less than €60,000 for supplies and services or €100,000 for the works, the buyer can only provide a special clauses book (CCP) or a simple order letter. The SPC then groups together the special administrative clauses (SAC) and the special technical clauses (SAC).

It informs theeconomic operator on market needs, delivery times, warranty conditions, maintenance, after-sales service.

Please note

In the case of a small-value contract, i.e. less than €60,000 for supplies and services or €100,000 for the works, the buyer can only provide a Special Clauses Book (SPC) or a simple order letter. The SPC then groups together the special administrative clauses (SAC) and the special technical clauses (SAC).

In the financial documents, we find the price services which are the subject of the public contract.

The prize comes in one of the following forms:

  • Unit Price Slip (BPU) where each benefit is listed
  • Decomposition of the overall and flat-rate price (FMGF) —Sets the quantities and items to be encrypted by the companies. The components of the flat-rate price of the service to be provided shall be broken down.

To learn more about these documents, you can consult the fact sheet prepare the bid dossier in the financial offer part.

It is a contractual administrative act by which the candidate commits to its price offer and formally accepts the clauses of the Special Administrative Clauses Book (SACC) and the Special Technical Clauses Book (STAC).

The undertaking shall contain the particulars necessary for the conclusion of the public contract and shall constitute the main element of this one. In particular, it makes it possible to identify parties bound by the public contract. It specifies the reciprocal commitments of theeconomic operator and the buyer.

This document shall be completed by the public purchaser at the time of the award of the public contract and then forwarded to the applicant company and/or the Temporary company Grouping (GME) restrained.

For more information, you can consult the fact sheet on the signature of the act of commitment in case of award of the contract.

FYI  

The Ministry responsible for the economy shall make available a model ofact of commitment. This model is optional. The public purchaser may choose to draw up his own undertaking as soon as all the mandatory and regulatory particulars appear on it.

FAQ