Procurement glossary for architects: from contracting body to award
Contracting body, public tender, prequalification, award criteria: the key terms of building procurement in Switzerland, explained clearly and briefly.
Many technical terms circulate around the award of building commissions, and they cause confusion, especially for newcomers. This glossary explains the key terms of tendering and procurement in Switzerland, briefly and clearly. The German terms used in Switzerland are given in brackets.
The parties involved
Contracting body (Auslober)
The contracting body is whoever issues a tender or competition and is responsible for the procedure, in other words the client or principal. The contracting body defines the task, the rules and the assessment criteria and makes the award at the end.
Bidder / applicant (Anbieter, Bewerber)
The participating architecture practices that submit a bid or a competition entry. Depending on the procedure, they are called bidders (public tender) or participants (competition).
The types of procedure
Public tender (Submission)
The formal procurement procedure of public contracting authorities under procurement law (the PPA at federal level, the IAPP for cantons and municipalities). Transparent and traceable, with the possibility of appeal.
Open and selective procedure
In the open procedure, any practice can apply directly. In the selective procedure, suitability is assessed first (prequalification); only selected practices then submit a bid.
Invitation procedure and direct award
In the invitation procedure, the contracting body asks a few practices for a quote. In a direct award, a commission is granted directly without competition, which is the most common model in the private market. Which award procedure suits which project is shown in the comparison of award procedures.
Architectural competition (SIA 142) and study commission (SIA 143)
In a competition, the project idea is central: practices submit a design, and a jury assesses it anonymously (SIA 142 regulations). The study commission (SIA 143) is a dialogue-based procedure with accompanying assessment.
Suitability and decision
Prequalification (Präqualifikation)
The preliminary suitability check in the selective procedure: based on references and capacity, the contracting body chooses which practices are admitted to submit a bid.
Suitability and award criteria
Suitability criteria are minimum requirements for the practice (e.g. references, expertise, capacity). Award criteria determine which bid wins, for example quality, fee, schedule and cost-effectiveness, usually weighted.
Award (Zuschlag)
The binding award of the commission to the selected practice. The award settles who may carry out the project.
Tools and platforms
simap.ch
The official information system on public procurement in Switzerland, where public tenders are published.
Tendering platform
A platform brings tenders together and makes them accessible. On Architektonik, clients tender private projects; vetted architecture practices submit sealed fee bids, and the identity of the contracting body remains anonymous until the award, discreet and vetted.