Complete Certification Solutions: Accreditations, Local Content & Official Documents
Saudi Arabia’s government tendering process is structured, competitive, and increasingly driven by compliance with specific certifications and local content policies. To succeed in Saudi government tenders, businesses must meet baseline legal requirements and strive to achieve advanced certifications that boost technical evaluation scores.
Our Complete Certification Solutions help your company meet all regulatory, operational, and strategic documentation needs to confidently participate in government procurement in Saudi Arabia and align with Vision 2030 goals
Mandatory Baseline Certificates for All Registered Companies
All businesses interested in government contracting in Saudi Arabia must maintain a set of mandatory certificates that establish their legal and operational status. Compliance with procurement regulations in KSA and meeting Etimad tender requirements are essential for eligibility and competitiveness in public projects
| Certificate Name | Issuing Authority | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Zakat & Tax Certificate | Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) | Confirms your business is tax-compliant. Mandatory for all government contracts. |
| GOSI Subscription Certificate | General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) | Ensures your company is registered and pays social insurance for employees. |
| Nitaqat (Saudization) Compliance Certificate | Ministry of Human Resources / Qiwa platform | Confirms you meet the Saudization quota. A critical eligibility factor for public tenders. |
Maintaining these certificates is essential not only for eligibility but also for smooth onboarding and post-award processes with government entities.
Certificates That Enhance Your Evaluation in Government Tenders
Beyond the mandatory baseline, there are strategic certifications that significantly enhance your evaluation during tender scoring, especially in high-value or specialized sectors.
| Certificate Name | Issuing Authority | Notes / Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor Classification Certificate | Ministry of Municipal & Rural Affairs / Expenditure Efficiency Authority | Required for major construction or engineering tenders. Reflects technical and financial capacity. |
| Local Content Certificate | Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA) | Adds technical evaluation points. Especially valuable in industrial, manufacturing, and infrastructure bids. |
| ISO Certificates (e.g., ISO 9001, 27001) | Various International Certification Bodies | Reflects compliance with international quality, safety, and data protection standards. |
| Tax Residency Certificate | Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) | Useful for international agreements and proving your Saudi tax domicile. |
These certificates can mean the difference between qualifying and excelling in your bid. They also enhance your company’s reputation and increase your chances of securing recurring contracts.
Local Content Certification Support
As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Local Content Certificate has become one of the most influential evaluation tools in public tenders. It quantifies the extent to which your business contributes to the Saudi economy through hiring local talent, sourcing local materials, and working with Saudi suppliers.
We provide full support in obtaining the Local Content Certificate, including:
- Gap analysis of your current operations
- Accurate score calculation
- Full documentation preparation for LCGPA submission
- Ongoing compliance and renewal suppor
The certification process typically takes around 3 weeks once all required documents are ready. This makes early preparation essential, especially if you’re targeting upcoming tenders or government contracts.
Understanding the Self-Assessment Platform
The Self-Assessment Platform, provided by the Ministry of Human Resources via the Qiwa platform, allows establishments to evaluate their compliance with labor laws and Saudization standards.
Why is Self-Assessment Important?
- Prepares your company for actual inspections.
- Identifies compliance gaps early.
- Boosts internal transparency and governance.
- Enhances your profile during tenders that prioritize regulatory adherence.
Avoids hidden operational restrictions, such as loss of quota usage or inability to obtain new visas if the self-assessment is not completed.
What If My Results Are Poor?
A low score will not incur immediate penalties, but it flags your business for future inspection. It also negatively affects your credibility with regulators and contracting entities. Timely corrective action is essential to prevent future sanctions.
Are There Penalties?
No direct penalties are applied during the self-assessment phase. However, failing to comply with MHRSD standards after an inspection may result in fines or tender disqualification.
There are also hidden penalties:
For example, your company may be unable to utilize its workforce quota or obtain new visas if the self-assessment has not been completed.
Benefits of the Self-Assessment Platform:
- Clear roadmap for HR and regulatory improvement.
- Stronger scorecards for government tenders.
- Better preparedness for formal inspections.