Eight mistakes first-time bidders make on Romanian tenders

The mistakes

1. Reading the whole tender before checking whether you qualify. Screen the requirements first.
2. Missing a requirement in the data sheet, such as a minimum number of similar works or a required authorization.
3. Declaring in the DUAE something you cannot prove with documents when asked.
4. Waiting for the last hour to upload and sign. Technical problems and certificate issues are common on deadline day.
5. Not asking for clarification when a requirement is unclear, then guessing.
6. Forgetting the guarantees: the participation guarantee with the offer, or the funding for the good execution guarantee if you win.
7. Pricing without reading the draft contract: payment terms, penalties and guarantee rules change the real cost.
8. Submitting an offer that does not follow the exact format and documents the authority asked for.

A simple routine that prevents most of them

• Screen new notices every day against a short list of what your company can really do.
• Keep a living company file: turnover, similar works with proof, authorizations, certificates, staff.
• Calendar every deadline, and plan to submit at least a day early.
• Have a second person review the DUAE and the documents.
• Write down why you decided to bid or to pass, so the next decision is faster.

Common questions

What is the most common reason new bidders are rejected?

Not meeting or not documenting a qualification requirement, followed by errors in the declarations and missing documents.

Is it a mistake to bid late in the day?

Submitting at the last moment is risky: a failed upload or signature cannot be fixed after the deadline.

Sources and official references

• SEAP / SICAP (e-licitatie.ro)
• ANAP, Agenția Națională pentru Achiziții Publice
• Legislație consolidată (legislatie.just.ro)
• ESPD / DUAE, European Commission

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Public procurement rules change, so always check the official sources above and the tender documentation. Reviewed 30 October 2026.