Government tenders in Saudi Arabia offer immense opportunities for businesses, whether you’re a large construction firm, a technology provider, or a service-based company. With billions of riyals allocated annually to government projects, securing a tender can significantly elevate your company’s profile and profitability. However, many companies struggle to navigate the strict regulatory and procedural landscape. Simple but critical mistakes can disqualify a bid or severely weaken your evaluation score.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the top five mistakes companies make when applying for government tenders in Saudi Arabia and how to avoid them.

1. Missing or Expired Mandatory Certificates

One of the most common—and preventable—mistakes is failing to submit valid and up-to-date mandatory certificates. Government tenders require baseline documentation that proves your company is compliant with local laws and ready to do business with public entities.

Examples of Essential Certificates:

• Zakat & Tax Certificate from ZATCA
• GOSI Subscription Certificate from the General Organization for Social Insurance
• Nitaqat (Saudization) Compliance Certificate via Qiwa Platform

Even if your technical proposal is outstanding, a missing or expired certificate can lead to immediate disqualification. Always ensure that your documentation is valid at the time of submission, and regularly track expiration dates to stay ahead.

2. Ignoring Evaluation Criteria in the Tender Document

Each government tender comes with its own set of evaluation criteria, which may vary depending on the sector, value, and complexity of the project. These criteria are usually outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP) or the tender brief.

Common Evaluation Areas:

• Technical capability and experience
• Local content contribution
• Financial stability
• Saudization level
• ISO or other quality certifications

Many companies submit a “one-size-fits-all” proposal, not realizing that customization is key. Ignoring specific criteria like local content score or project-specific experience can cost you valuable evaluation points. Always align your proposal directly with what the issuing authority is asking for.

3. Underestimating the Importance of Local Content and Saudization

In line with Vision 2030, the Saudi government heavily emphasizes local economic participation in procurement. This includes a focus on:

• Hiring Saudi nationals (Saudization)
• Using locally sourced materials and suppliers
• Contributing to knowledge transfer and training

The Local Content Certificate, issued by the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA), is often used to award additional evaluation points in tenders—especially in industrial and manufacturing sectors.

Similarly, your Saudization level, verified through the Nitaqat system, directly impacts your company’s eligibility and ranking in many tenders. Companies that fail to understand or invest in these areas often lose bids to more compliant competitors.

4. Submitting Incomplete or Poorly Organized Proposals

Your tender submission isn’t just a formality—it’s a reflection of your company’s professionalism, attention to detail, and readiness to deliver. Government evaluators often review hundreds of submissions, and clarity, structure, and completeness matter more than many companies realize.

Common issues include:

• Missing attachments or appendices
• Poor formatting and inconsistent information
• Incomplete financial or technical forms
• Lack of proper translation into Arabic (if required)

A well-organized proposal that follows the tender instructions, presents clear value, and includes all supporting documents significantly improves your chances of success. Consider using a proposal checklist or having your submission reviewed by a dedicated compliance officer.

5. Failing to Register on Required Government Platforms

Many tenders require companies to be registered on specific government platforms. In Saudi Arabia, the Etimad Platform is the central system for all government procurement. Without registration, you can’t view or bid on tenders, even if you’re otherwise qualified.

Other platforms include:

• Qiwa (for Saudization and labor compliance)
• LCGPA Portal (for local content certification)
• MOMRA’s contractor classification system (for construction firms)

Failing to complete your registration or not keeping your profiles updated can lead to missed opportunities or disqualification. Make sure you are fully onboarded and active on all relevant platforms.

Winning government tenders in Saudi Arabia involves much more than just offering a competitive price. It requires attention to detail, regulatory compliance, and strategic alignment with national priorities like Saudization and local content. By avoiding these five common mistakes—expired documents, generic proposals, ignoring local requirements, poor submissions, and missed registrations—you can drastically improve your tender success rate.

Whether you’re bidding for the first time or looking to sharpen your approach, keep these pitfalls in mind and position your company as a trusted, professional, and value-driven government partner. Contact us today for complete certification solutions: accreditations, local content & official documents.