The Central Tenders Committee, which is attached to the Council of Ministers, administers all public tenders. For open tenders, bidders must have applied for registration as an approved supplier or contractor with the Ministry of Planning. They must also have been classified according to their financial and technical capabilities. Foreign companies may participate in a public tender providing it has a Kuwaiti agent or partner and that the tender is open to non-Kuwaiti companies.
International firms desiring to prequalify either as consultants or contractors should approach the client rather than the Central Tenders Committee.
Tender documents may be obtained from the offices of the Central Tenders Committee for a fee.
Once a tender is submitted, it will be evaluated on the basis of price, conformity to the specifications required and the level of Kuwaiti involvement in the company as regards the scope of needed work.
Normally when a tender is submitted, a percentage of the price must be put up as a bond. The amount will be specified in the RFP (Request for Proposal) or tender document.
Non-governmental agencies may also put contracts out to tender but these will be handled directly and not through the Central Tenders Committee.