Opportunities Around the Globe: KfW and GIZ Invite Tenders

Governments in partner countries propose projects to the KfW. If the projects make developmental sense and are worthy of support, the KfW experts accompany the projects throughout their entire duration. The KfW takes over financing as well as the tendering process in Germany. However, the project agency in the partner country - for example, a ministry in an African country is always the project-executing agency and, as a rule, the tenderer. This project agency then also becomes the contractual partner of the company that wins the contract.

As part of its Financial Cooperation with emerging and developing countries, the KfW Development Bank invites tenders for numerous projects and seeks private companies in Germany to participate in the projects. The awarding process is usually carried out by the partners; the projects often involve services in the areas of health, environmental protection or infrastructure - such as water supply, construction, or energy. However, goods are also sought such as conductor cables for electricity grids, school kitchens, hospital equipment.

When tendering and awarding contracts, the bank ensures compliance with internationally recognised rules. The entire process must be transparent and comprehensible. The KfW examines the project even before it is put out to tender. The KfW must finally approve the evaluation report, the award proposal and the draft contract of the project-executing agency before a contract is awarded. Consultants support the project-executing agency in each phase of the tender. These consulting services are also put out to public tender by the KfW.

After an initial bidding phase, there is often a pre-qualification phase. Once the qualified bidders have been identified, the bidder with the most economical offer is determined in a second phase. As is common practice at many development banks, interested companies can clarify open questions at clarification meetings during the bidding phase.

All GIZ projects are based on a specific mandate. The main client is the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, but other federal ministries are also involved. GIZ also supports the German federal states in their development policy activities. In addition, there are international clients such as the European Union, various UN organisations and governments from all over the world. For implementation, the GIZ cooperates closely with private-sector companies, universities and specialised institutions. Actors such as private foundations can also work with the GIZ - they are indispensable partners for many tasks. Contracts are often awarded through calls for tender.

The GIZ invites tenders for supply services such as equipment, as well as service and construction contracts on the so-called GIZ Procurement Marketplace. The tenders relate to various sectors including energy, construction, health, IT or Good Governance. Consultancy contracts, ranging from individual expert reports to complete consultancy projects, account for a significant share. The award criteria are transparent, competitive and economical. The GTAI also publishes the GIZ's tender and project notifications with an abstract in German.