Saudi ministry says only 'classified' consultants can bid on tenders

Saudi Arabia’s ministry of municipal and rural affairs on Thursday started applying the "classification" requirement for consultants looking to bid for the ministry's tenders.

Henceforth, ministries and governmental entities will not accept any bid unless the bidder who submits the offer is classified and the project falls within the level of classification.

The Classification Agency rates and classifies the contractors according to special rules and specific criteria, and assigns the classification certificate, which is a primary condition for contractors to enter any government tenders.

Recently, the ministry said it has received 215 requests by companies and consultant offices to obtain the classification required for bidding for government tenders, Argaam reported.

The classification is aimed at improving contractors’ performance and accountability, the ministry said.