Public Procurement Authority: Silver level qualified bidder status can now be obtained in the civil engineering category

The Public Procurement Authority started the renewal of the bidder qualification system last year, which aims to make participation in public procurement procedures simpler, more efficient and faster for domestic enterprises. As part of this, the silver bidder qualification is now also available in the civil engineering category – Dr. László Kovács, President of the Authority, drew attention at the Public Procurement and Competition Conference in Debrecen.

Current issues of the public procurement market, as well as competition law and legal remedies experiences, were also on the agenda at the professional event organized by the Hajdú-Bihar County Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The conference also provided an opportunity for economic operators to be directly informed about the latest developments in the renewal of the qualified bidder system and its practical significance.

Sector-specific qualification in civil engineering

The silver level certifies the fulfillment of sector-specific conditions within the qualified tenderer list, which are higher than the basic (bronze) level, in relation to construction projects. The qualification was first introduced in the building construction subcategory last October, and the Authority has now extended it to the civil engineering subsector.

The silver level qualification certifies that the economic operator concerned is not subject to certain exclusion grounds specified in the Public Procurement Act, and also has the necessary economic, financial, technical and professional capacity. The conditions prescribed by the Authority ensure that the qualified tenderer operates in the market in a reliable, continuous and high-quality manner. It should also be highlighted that, in addition, the condition for obtaining the qualification is adherence to the Public Procurement Authority’s Code of Ethics for Public Procurement.

The silver grade related to civil engineering investments can be obtained in the 31st classification category – construction, foundation and paving of motorways and public roads – at two qualification levels: related to the development and maintenance works of local public roads classified in lower and higher road classes.

“The renewal of the list of qualified bidders is in line with the Authority’s efforts to reduce the administrative burden of participating in public procurement procedures and thus encourage law-abiding, professionally prepared enterprises to participate in public procurement. The extension of the silver grade to the civil engineering area is another step towards the system supporting competition and the strengthening of domestic enterprises in a sector-specific manner, taking into account the specificities of the industry and market”

– emphasized Dr. László Kovács, President of the Public Procurement Authority.

Public procurements of increasing value, the role of SMEs remains decisive

Dr. László Kovács also presented the main data of the Public Procurement Authority’s 2025 flash report. According to the report, in 2025, contracting authorities conducted 6,923 successful public procurement procedures, with a total value of HUF 4,278 billion, which resulted in the conclusion of 15,511 contracts. The number of procedures decreased, but the total value increased by more than 16 percent compared to the previous year.

Small and medium-sized enterprises continue to be decisive players in the public procurement market: in 2025, SMEs were announced as winners of 11,611 contracts, with a total value of HUF 1,899 billion. This means that out of 100 public procurement contracts, 75 were awarded to SMEs, and out of every 100 HUF spent, 44 HUF went to the SME sector.

The Public Procurement Authority’s audit activities also remained intensive: in 2025, it processed nearly 22 thousand notices related to public procurement procedures and issued almost 24 thousand notices to remedy deficiencies. The aim of the consistent audit practice is to ensure a legal, transparent and competitive public procurement environment.