Discusses the legal requirements for selling to the host government, including whether the government has agreed to abide by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement or is a party to a government procurement chapter in a U.S. FTA. Specifies areas where there are opportunities.

Many governments finance public works projects through borrowing from the Multilateral Development Banks. Please refer to “Project Financing” Section in “Trade and Project Financing” for more information. Government procurement in Europe is governed by both international obligations under the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) and EU-wide legislation under the EU Public Procurement Directives.  U.S.-based companies are allowed to bid on public tenders covered by the GPA, while European subsidiaries of U.S. companies may bid on all public procurement contracts covered by the EU Directives in the European Union.

For more information, please visit the U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the European Union website dedicated to EU public procurement.  This site also has a database of all European public procurement tenders that are open to U.S.-based firms by virtue of the Government Procurement Agreement.  Access is free of charge.

Key Link: Export.gov - European Tenders Database

Government procurement in Latvia is governed by the Public Procurement Law (PPL).  A link to an English translation of the PPL is found below.  There have been reports of corruption and a lack of transparency in public procurement in Latvia.  Businesses interested in entering this market may wish to consult legal counsel and the U.S. Embassy for guidance.
 
Key Link: the Public Procurement Law
 
All EU government tender notices can be viewed in English at: TED Home.
 
In addition, the U.S. Department of State has developed the State Business Information Database System, which includes information on public procurement opportunities. Please find it at: Business Information Database System.

Key Link: Export.gov - European Tenders Database

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.