Invitation procedure

The invitation procedure is a non-public competitive procedure used in Swiss procurement, especially for contracts below higher threshold values. The contracting authority asks selected suppliers, usually several, to submit bids. Even though there is no public call for tenders, the authority must respect equal treatment, objective selection of invitees, confidentiality and avoidance of conflicts of interest. The procedure is less formal than open or selective tendering but still requires proper documentation and a lawful award decision.