Compliance requirements
The bidder must confirm that none of the exclusion grounds listed in Section 95(1)(1)–(3) and (5) of the Estonian Public Procurement Act apply. This means, among other things, that the bidder must not be bankrupt or in liquidation, its business must not be suspended, and it must not have tax debts or social security contribution debts. The bidder must also confirm that the average salary of its employees was above 70% of the sector average for the reference period and that it is not a related person to the beneficiary’s technical consultant. In a joint bid, the exclusion grounds are checked for each joint bidder.
Qualification criteria and exclusion grounds
The bidder must be registered in the economic activities register for construction activities covering general construction, indoor climate systems, and internal or building-related water supply or sewerage systems. For electrical works, the bidder must also have a registration for electrical works covering the construction, including installation, of electrical installations. The registration requirement does not apply to a foreign bidder, but equivalent proof must be provided.
The bidder’s net turnover for the financial year preceding the start of the procurement procedure must be at least equal to twice the estimated contract value excluding VAT. The bidder must be able to provide a performance security amounting to 5% of the contract value at contract signature or no later than 10 calendar days after signature; the security must remain valid throughout the construction period. A corresponding amount deposited with the contracting authority or a notary is also accepted, provided the beneficiary remains the entitled party throughout the construction period.
Within the last 60 months, the bidder must have completed at least one equivalent construction project with a value of at least half of the estimated contract value. An equivalent project means the construction, extension or full reconstruction of a building as the main contractor, provided that it included at least the construction or reconstruction of load-bearing structures and external envelope elements, the construction or reconstruction of a heat-recovery mechanical ventilation system, and the construction or reconstruction of a new heating system. The bidder must provide the project name, building details, execution period, value, and a description of which of the required works were included.
The team must include an architect with at least certified architect qualification, level 7, responsible for compliance of the design with the European New Bauhaus requirements. The team must also include a project manager with at least construction engineer qualification, level 6, or construction manager qualification, level 6; a site manager with at least construction foreman qualification, level 5; a ventilation and heating systems specialist with at least heating, ventilation and cooling engineer qualification, level 6, or construction manager qualification, level 6; and a water supply and sewerage systems specialist with the relevant professional qualification. For each role, the bidder must provide the person’s name and certificate number. Equivalent competence is accepted for foreign bidders.