This article is brought to you together with Triadens, the expertise office in public procurement.
Flemish governments offer plenty of opportunities through the digital platform e-Procurement, also to foreign companies. You can easily register for assignments in various sectors and can count on payment within thirty days. With the right recognition and a well-prepared file, you significantly increase your chances of sustainable cooperation.
If you are a foreign company considering participating in public contracts in Flanders, you no longer have to cut yourself off from this market potential. The free e-Procurement electronic platform allows you to register for contracts easily and free of charge, where the misconception that you “have to wait for your money” is outdated. After all, Belgian governments are legally obliged to pay within thirty days, which greatly facilitates timely and reliable cash flow management.
Although one sometimes only thinks of large construction projects, the offer covers a wide spectrum of sectors, ranging from ICT services and consultancy to deliveries and healthcare-related assignments. Moreover, price in itself is not always decisive. Flemish governments select their contract partners on the basis of i.a. quality, innovation, sustainability and references. This creates opportunities for companies that offer added value.
In some cases, in particular in the case of public works contracts, recognition is often necessary in order to be able to tender for public contracts. It serves as a quality label that demonstrates that your contracting company has sufficient technical competence, financial capacity and professional integrity. The recognition is granted only for specific categories or subcategories of works and is valid for a period of five years. Your application will first be examined by the Federal Service for the Recognition of Contractors, after which the Federal Commission for the Approval of Contractors will issue an opinion on this. Ultimately, the competent Flemish minister, for example the minister-president with a facilitation mandate, makes the formal decision on recognition.
You must have the required recognition at the time of closing the contract, or demonstrate that you meet the conditions through cooperation with a partner. This can be done, for example, by joining forces through a temporary partnership. Under certain conditions, the authority allows the financial capacity of third parties to be invoked, provided that these parties also contribute to the performance of the contract.
The misconception that payments would be slow is also a thing of the past. The applicable regulations prescribe that invoices must be paid within thirty days (with the exception of assignments that are part of healthcare). If this limit is exceeded, you are entitled to interest on late payment and possibly lump sum compensation, which provides certainty and contributes to a solid cooperation.
The administrative process of bidding for a public contract can seem daunting, but having a complete file provides you with sustainable access to numerous public contracts. The same data is often requested again, so that a one-off file investment pays off in the longer term.
Although opening up the Flemish public procurement market may seem challenging, your advisors at Van Havermaet and Triadens provide the crucial support you need. Our experts will guide you in the preparation of files for recognition, provide a targeted search profile on e-Procurement, analyse your opportunities, refine your offer and ensure that you are optimally positioned to win government contracts.
In conclusion, Flanders offers an open and structured market for foreign companies through e-Procurement, with clear recognition standards, punctual payment policy and broad sectoral opportunities. Success increased by an investment in quality, preparation and expert guidance.
Contact your advisors at Van Havermaet and Triadens to set up your file efficiently, obtain your recognition, set up your search profile correctly and make the most of your opportunities in Flanders. We are ready to guide you to success.