What is a Bid Opening (Submission)?
The bid opening (German: Submission, also Eröffnungstermin) is the formal event in a procurement procedure where submitted bids are opened, read aloud, and documented. It marks the transition from the bidding phase to the evaluation phase and is a central element of transparency in public procurement.
Legal Framework
Construction contracts (VOB/A):
- § 14 VOB/A: Opening session for national construction procurements
- Bidders or their authorized representatives may attend the opening
Supplies and services (VgV/UVgO):
- § 55 VgV: Opening of bids (without bidder participation)
- § 40 UVgO: Opening for sub-threshold procurements
- For electronic bids: at least two representatives of the contracting authority
Procedure for Construction Bid Openings
The opening session follows a strictly formalized process:
- Before opening: Check attendance, verify completeness, confirm deadline has passed
- Opening: Open in order of receipt, number each bid sequentially
- Reading aloud (VOB/A): Bidder name and address, total bid amount, discounts, variant bids
- Documentation: Minutes signed by contracting authority representatives and attending bidders
Bid Opening in E-Procurement
| Aspect | Paper Procurement | E-Procurement |
|---|---|---|
| Bid receipt | Sealed envelope | Encrypted electronic file |
| Opening | Physical opening | Decryption by four-eyes principle |
| Bidder attendance | Permitted (VOB) | Partly via livestream |
| Documentation | Handwritten minutes | Automatic platform protocol |
| Tamper protection | Sealed envelopes | Cryptographic encryption |
Price Mirror
After the opening, the price mirror (Preisspiegel) is created — a tabular overview of all submitted bids with their respective prices, serving as the basis for further evaluation.
Common Mistakes
Frequent errors leading to exclusion:
- Late submission (bids after deadline are not opened)
- Unsealed bids (paper procurement)
- Missing legally binding signature
- Incomplete pricing (empty positions in specifications)
- Modifications to tender documents
Confidentiality
After the opening, bid contents are subject to confidentiality. The contracting authority may not disclose bid contents to third parties or other bidders. Violations can lead to procedure cancellation.
Patterno hilft
Patterno keeps you informed about upcoming bid opening dates. Our AI automatically extracts relevant deadlines from tender documents and reminds you so you never miss a submission deadline. In the construction sector, our calculation agent also helps you prepare bids on time.