What is Joint venture (JV)?
A joint venture (JV) or consortium is two or more firms bidding together for one tender, combining their experience and resources under agreed terms.
What is a joint venture in tenders?
A joint venture is an arrangement in which two or more firms submit one bid together and share the work and responsibility if they win. A consortium is a similar grouping. Some tenders use the two words interchangeably, while others treat a JV as a closer arrangement, sometimes with a separate entity.
JVs and consortia are allowed only if the tender says so. They are more common in large works, EPC and consultancy tenders, and less common in tenders for routine goods.
How it usually works
The tender sets the rules, and they vary widely, so read the JV clause before you approach a partner.
- One partner is named the lead member and signs or submits the bid
- Partners sign a JV agreement or MoU, often in a prescribed format
- Partners are usually jointly and severally liable for the contract
- The tender states how PQ criteria such as turnover and experience are met by the partners together or individually
- There may be limits on the number of partners and their shares
Tips for bidders
Check whether a partner may also bid separately or join another JV in the same tender; many tenders forbid it. Agree the split of scope, liability and payments in writing before you submit.
Collect each partner’s documents early: registrations, financial statements, experience certificates and authorisations. Missing papers from one partner can sink the whole bid.
Common questions
Common questions about Joint venture (JV) in government tenders.
Both mean firms bidding together. The exact difference depends on how the tender defines them, so follow its definitions and formats.
Only if the tender allows it, and then under its rules. Some tenders require the lead member to meet a set share of the criteria on its own.
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