---
title: Open Tendering: Definition and How It Works | Aavenir
url: https://aavenir.com/glossary/open-tendering/
description: Open tendering is a competitive procurement method where any qualified supplier may bid for a contract for goods, services or works, in a public process.
updated: 2026-11-07
---

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# What is open tendering?

Open tendering is a competitive procurement method where any qualified supplier may bid for a contract for goods, services or works, in a public process.

## How it works

The buyer publishes the requirement, the evaluation criteria and the deadline. Any interested supplier that meets the conditions can submit a sealed bid. Bids are opened and evaluated against the published criteria, and the contract goes to the supplier offering the best value, which may mean the lowest compliant price or the best mix of price and quality. Open tendering is also called open competitive bidding or open solicitation, and it is the default in much public procurement.

## Open vs. closed tendering

- **Open tendering.**Anyone qualified may bid. Maximum competition and transparency, more bids to evaluate.

- **Closed or selective tendering.**Only invited or prequalified suppliers bid. Faster and more focused, but less open.

Open tendering gives equal chances to all suppliers and reduces the risk of favoritism, which is why public bodies use it. It takes more time to run and evaluate.

## How Aavenir handles it

[RFPflow](https://aavenir.com/solutions/rfp-management-software/) runs sourcing events on one record: suppliers respond in a portal, Aavenir AI scores and summarizes every bid against the criteria, a person makes the award, and the award drafts the contract. [Electronic tendering](https://aavenir.com/glossary/e-tendering/) keeps the process auditable.

## Steps in an open tender

- Publish the notice, requirements and evaluation criteria

- Answer supplier questions and share answers with all bidders

- Receive sealed bids by the deadline

- Evaluate against the published criteria

- Award, notify bidders and sign the contract

## Keep reading

[Electronic tendering Electronic tendering, or eTendering, is sending and receiving tenders online instead of on paper, from publishing the requirement to receiving bids and awarding. Read more](https://aavenir.com/glossary/e-tendering/)[Electronic sourcing Electronic sourcing, or eSourcing, runs sourcing online: finding and inviting suppliers, collecting and comparing bids, negotiating and awarding contracts. Read more](https://aavenir.com/glossary/e-sourcing/)[Negotiation Negotiation is the process two or more parties use to settle differences and reach an agreement both can accept and honor, such as the terms of a contract. Read more](https://aavenir.com/glossary/negotiation/)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

## Common questions

###

### When is open tendering used?

Mostly in public procurement and for large private purchases where transparency and wide competition matter more than speed. Rules often require it above a set contract value. [Read about electronic tendering](https://aavenir.com/glossary/e-tendering/).

###

### What is the difference between open and selective tendering?

Open tendering lets any qualified supplier bid. Selective tendering limits bidding to suppliers invited or prequalified by the buyer. Selective tendering is faster but less open. [Read about electronic sourcing](https://aavenir.com/glossary/e-sourcing/).

###

### How are open tender bids evaluated?

Against the criteria published with the tender, usually a mix of price, quality, capability and compliance. Recording the scores and the reason for the award keeps the process defensible. [See RFPflow](https://aavenir.com/solutions/rfp-management-software/).

Have a question we have not answered? [Ask the Expert](https://aavenir.com/contact/)

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## See your contracts run on one record.

- **1****A 30 minute walkthrough**Built around your team, whether that is procurement, legal, IT or finance.

- **2****Your contracts, not ours**Bring a few sample agreements and watch Aavenir AI extract and review them.

- **3****ServiceNow or standalone**We show the deployment that fits the systems you already run.

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