What is Two-bid system?
The two-bid system is a tender format where bidders submit technical and financial bids separately, and prices are opened only for qualified bidders.
What is the two-bid system?
In a two-bid system, each bidder submits two separate parts: a technical bid and a financial bid. The buyer evaluates the technical bids first, then opens the financial bids of only those who qualify.
It is used for most tenders where eligibility and technical compliance need checking, such as equipment, works and services. Simple purchases of standard items may use a single-bid system, where everything is in one cover.
How it works, step by step
Some tenders use three covers, adding a separate pre-qualification cover before technical evaluation.
- Bidders upload both covers before the deadline, signed with their DSC on e-portals
- On the opening date, technical bids are opened
- The tender committee evaluates eligibility and compliance, and may seek clarifications
- Results are published, and qualified bidders are told the price bid opening date
- Financial bids of qualified bidders are opened and ranked
- Award goes to L1, or to the highest scorer in a QCBS tender
Tips for bidders
Keep prices out of the technical cover entirely. Upload each document to the correct cover, as misplaced documents may not be considered.
Watch the portal for the technical result and the price bid opening date.
Common questions
Common questions about Two-bid system in government tenders.
In a single-bid system, technical and price details are in one cover and opened together. In a two-bid system they are separate and opened at different stages.
On most e-procurement portals, qualified bidders can view a summary of the opened price bids after financial bids are opened.
GeM bids work in a similar way: technical documents are evaluated before prices are opened for qualified sellers.
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