A question often comes up: "Public procurement is for big companies, right?" The answer is no. In 2025, 62% of public contracts awarded in France went to small and medium-sized enterprises. The problem isn't the size of your company, it's the method.
Understanding different types of contracts
Not all public contracts work the same way:
MAPA (Simplified Procedure Contracts) — below €221,000 excluding VAT for supplies and services. The procedure is simplified, and this is where small enterprises have the best chances. The buyer can negotiate, timelines are short, documentation is lighter.
Formal Tender Calls — above the thresholds. Strict procedure, complete files, defined selection criteria. More complex but not inaccessible.
Works Contracts — specific thresholds (€5,382,000 excluding VAT in formal procedure). Building and construction professionals access these through small lots or subcontracting.
Essential documents to prepare
Before responding to anything, build your "public procurement kit":
- Kbis less than 3 months old (or registration in the trades register for craftspeople)
- Tax and social security certificates up to date (taxes, social contributions)
- Professional liability insurance certificate
- Client references — even 3 or 4 references with amounts and contact details are enough
- Declaration of honor (form DC1) — certifying you are not subject to any prohibitions
- Candidate identification (form DC2) — your administrative and financial details
You prepare all this once and reuse it for each application.
Where to find the right calls for tenders
Don't waste time sifting through dozens of platforms:
- BOAMP (Official Bulletin of Public Procurement Notices) — the official feed
- OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) — for European contracts
- Digitalization platforms of local authorities: Maximilien (Île-de-France), Mégalis (Brittany), etc.
- Buyer profiles of municipalities, departments, regions
The Calls for Tenders module of the Booster Network aggregates and filters these sources to send you only contracts matching your activity and geographic area.
The structure of a winning technical proposal
This is the document that makes the difference. A good technical proposal in 5 parts:
1. Company presentation (1-2 pages) — not your history since 1987, but your concrete skills relevant to the contract.
2. Understanding of needs (1 page) — rephrase the client's expectations by showing you've read the specifications. It seems obvious, but half the candidates don't do it.
3. Proposed methodology (2-3 pages) — how you will carry out the work, step by step, with a timeline.
4. Human and material resources (1 page) — who does what, with what equipment.
5. Similar references (1-2 pages) — your comparable projects, with measurable results if possible.
The 3 mistakes that eliminate you outright
- Incomplete file — one missing document = elimination. Check the list of required documents three times.
- Off-topic response — responding with a generic proposal copied and pasted. The buyer sees it immediately.
- Late submission — even by a minute. Digitalization platforms close on the hour. Submit 24 hours before the deadline.
To learn more: the France Marchés platform offers free training for first-time public procurement participants.