Tenders FAQs
Find answers to the most common questions about nupco tenders
What is the process for purchasing the tender booklet or participating in a tender?
Suppliers must be registered and qualified with nupco in order to purchase the tender booklet through the SADAD payment service. Training on the procedure is provided during the registration process.
How can I access the tender plan?
The annual tender plan is published on nupco’s official website.
Are the required forms and undertakings available in both Arabic and English?
Yes.
How are products evaluated at nupco?
A technical committee consisting of nupco representatives and officials from public healthcare entities is formed to evaluate the products during the tender period.
Are there alternative methods for purchasing the tender in case the electronic payment system fails?
Yes, but only after notifying nupco of the issue with the SADAD system and providing proof of the error. Upon approval, payment can be made via bank transfer to nupco’s account. The payment receipt must then be emailed to the designated tender email along with the company name and registered supplier number. Participation in the tender will be granted once all procedures are completed.
Under what circumstances can a company withdraw from a tender?
Withdrawals must follow the tender’s general terms and conditions. (Please refer to the general tender terms for more details.)
Can a company request a refund for the tender booklet before the tender results are announced?
Refunds are only granted if the tender is cancelled.
What about new or unregistered items?
Suppliers submitting offers in nupco tenders must comply with the regulations of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), including the requirement that all products offered in unified procurement tenders must be registered with the (SFDA).
If unregistered products are submitted, they will be handled according to the general tender terms and the needs of the government healthcare entities at the time of awarding.
Is the objection fee the same for multiple items as it is for a single item, or is it paid per item?
Only one objection fee is required for a group of items.
How long does it take to review an objection and respond to the objecting company?
Objections are reviewed and responses are issued within 4–8 weeks.
Can companies object to the final tender results?
According to current policies and procedures, objections cannot be submitted after the final results are announced, as the initial results are published to allow time for objections or comments.
Are objection fees refundable? How can the fee be reclaimed?
According to current policies and procedures, the objection fee is refunded if the objection is accepted. If not, it may be forfeited. Please refer to the general tender terms for more details.
Can a new objection be submitted if one has already been submitted previously?
Yes, a new objection can be submitted through a bank transfer, and the payment receipt must be sent to the designated tender email.
How is the bid bond refunded?
The bid bond is automatically refunded after the final results are announced for companies that did not win any items. For companies awarded items, the bid bond is released after submission of the performance bond.
Are local factories and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) exempt from the Bid Bond?
According to current policies and procedures, they are exempt from submitting the bid bond and may instead provide a Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) certificate or a manufacturing certificate.
When are the initial results announced?
Initial results are announced after the completion of the technical and financial evaluation phase. The timing depends on the size and complexity of the tender and usually takes 4–8 weeks.
When and where are the initial and final results announced?
Initial results are published after the technical and financial review is completed. Final results are announced after reviewing all objections. Both are published on the nupco.
