When tenders in Wales are issued, the buyer must let you know the procedure for the contract award.

There are currently four award procedures for Welsh public sector tenders and EU tenders. These are:

• Open Procedure - This is a formal tendering process where you can request tender documents and submit a tender in response to an advertised contract notice. You should evaluate your chances of success before submitting a tender as you won’t know how strong the competition is.
  
  Time to respond: 52 days from publication.

• Restricted Procedure - This is a two-part procedure which begins with you stating your expression of interest and requesting a pre-Qualification questionnaire (see PQQ). Only if your completed PQQ demonstrates that you’re capable, will you be issued the full Invitation to Tender (see ITT), hence the term ‘restricted procedure'.
  
  Time to respond: 37 days for expressions of interest and a minimum of a further 40 days for submitting your tender.

• Negotiated Procedure - This procedure allows buyers to consult with pre-qualified suppliers and negotiate the terms of the contract. Only used when the project’s complexity makes it impossible to draw up a detailed specification, or when the contract is for R&D Purposes.
  
  Time to respond: 37 days for expressions of interest.

• Competitive Dialogue - This procedure is available for complex procurements when it’s considered that neither the Open or Restricted procedures will allow for the award of the contract. This procedure allows buyers to enter into a dialogue with suppliers before seeking final tenders from them.
  
  Time to respond: 37 days for expressions of interest.

Any of these procedures’ timescales can be shortened, but this is usually only done if a prior information notice (PIN) has been previously published. PINs are issued by buyers to advertise to suppliers their intent for future procurement plans. They are intended to ensure that you have as much time as possible to prepare for participation.