How to find and bid on tenders in Kenya: a step-by-step guide

Where tenders are published

Public bodies (ministries, state agencies, counties, universities and hospitals) publish tender notices on the government's public procurement portal and, often, on their own websites and in newspapers. NGOs, donors and companies publish on their own sites. Because notices are spread across so many places, many suppliers miss tenders they would have qualified for.

• The government public procurement portal (PPIP, tenders.go.ke)
• The websites of counties, ministries, agencies and universities
• Donor and development portals (for example the World Bank)
• Company and NGO procurement pages
• Zabuni Radar, which gathers the public ones in one list, deadline first

Step 1: pick tenders that fit you

Filter by county and category, then check the closing date first. A tender that closes in two days is rarely worth starting unless you already have every document. Prefer tenders in work you have done before and in places you can serve.

Step 2: read the whole notice and tender document

The notice is a summary. The tender document decides what is required: eligibility, the documents to submit, the evaluation criteria, how to price, the tender security and where and when to deliver. Note any pre-bid meeting or site visit: missing a mandatory one can disqualify you.

Step 3: check you are eligible

Look for requirements such as business registration, tax compliance, a valid business permit, relevant experience and, for reserved tenders, AGPO registration. If a mandatory requirement is missing, do not bid; fix it for next time.

Step 4: prepare the bid

Fill every form completely, sign and stamp where asked, price carefully and arrange any tender security early, because banks and insurers need time. Use a checklist so nothing is forgotten.

Step 5: submit before the deadline

Deliver or upload your bid well before the closing time and keep proof of receipt. Late bids are normally rejected without being read.

After you bid

Bids are opened and evaluated against the criteria in the tender document. Procuring entities must tell bidders the outcome. If you believe the process was unfair, there are formal ways to challenge it within strict time limits: see the official procurement authority.