Tender Package Documents
DCE — Dossier de Consultation des Entreprises (Tender Document Package)
The complete set of documents provided by the project owner for companies to prepare their bid. The DCE contains everything needed: project description, administrative conditions, technical specifications, pricing framework, and consultation rules.
RC — Règlement de la Consultation (Consultation Rules)
The document that sets the rules of the tender: who can bid, what documents to provide, how to submit, and what the selection criteria and weightings are. This is the first document to read when deciding whether to bid.
AE — Acte d'Engagement (Letter of Commitment)
The key contractual document through which the company legally commits to delivering the services described in the contract at its proposed prices. This is the equivalent of a signed contract.
CCAP — Cahier des Clauses Administratives Particulières (Special Administrative Conditions)
Defines the specific administrative conditions for the contract: execution deadlines, late penalties, payment terms, required insurance, and acceptance procedures. Supplements the CCAG (general conditions).
CCTP — Cahier des Clauses Techniques Particulières (Special Technical Conditions)
The technical core of the DCE. Describes in detail the expected services: materials, standards, execution methods, and quality levels. This is the reference for accurately pricing the project.
Pricing Documents
DPGF — Décomposition du Prix Global et Forfaitaire (Lump Sum Price Breakdown)
A detailed table where the company breaks down its lump sum price into sub-items. Allows the project owner to understand the financial offer structure and compare bidders item by item.
BPU — Bordereau des Prix Unitaires (Unit Price Schedule)
Lists unit prices for each service (per m², linear meter, unit, or lump sum). Used in framework agreements or when quantities aren't fixed in advance. Complementary to the DQE (Estimated Quantitative Detail).
DQE — Détail Quantitatif Estimatif (Estimated Quantitative Detail)
A table combining BPU unit prices with estimated quantities to produce a projected total cost. Used to evaluate the overall contract value even when exact quantities are unknown.
Key Stakeholders
MOA — Maître d'Ouvrage (Project Owner / Client)
The project commissioner. Defines the requirements, finances the project, and launches the tender. In public procurement, this is typically a local authority, public body, or government entity.
MOE — Maître d'Œuvre (Project Manager / Design Consultant)
The professional responsible for designing the project and overseeing its execution. Often drafts the DCE on behalf of the project owner. Can be an architect, engineering firm, or consortium.
Procurement Procedures
Open Tender (Appel d'Offres Ouvert)
A formal competitive procedure where any company can submit a bid. The most common procurement method for public contracts above EU thresholds.
MAPA — Marché à Procédure Adaptée (Adapted Procedure)
A simplified procedure for contracts below EU thresholds. The project owner freely defines the competition rules, allowing more flexibility in deadlines and formalities.
Allotissement (Lot Splitting)
Dividing the contract into separate lots (structural works, electrical, plumbing, etc.). Mandatory in French public procurement unless exceptions are justified. Enables SMEs to bid on the portion matching their expertise.
Key Concepts
Bid/No-Bid (Go/No-Go)
The strategic decision by a company to submit (Bid) or decline (No-Bid) a tender. Based on technical fit, production capacity, estimated profitability, deadlines, and competition level. This is the decision DCE Analyzer helps you make.
Technical Memo (Mémoire Technique)
A document written by the bidder to demonstrate their understanding of the project and proposed methodology. Often decisive in scoring as it differentiates bids beyond price. Can represent 40–60% of the final score.
Award Criteria (Critères d'Attribution)
The scoring rules used to rank bids. Price is mandatory but other criteria apply: technical value, execution timeline, environmental performance, guarantees. Weightings are specified in the RC.
Variant (Variante)
An alternative proposal to the base solution described in the DCE. The company offers a different approach (materials, method, schedule) that may provide better value. Variants must be authorized by the RC.
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