Selling to Public Sector
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- Government procurement in Europe is governed by both international obligations under the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) and EU-wide legislation under the EU Public Procurement Directives. U.S.-based companies are allowed to bid on public tenders covered by the GPA, while European subsidiaries of U.S. companies may bid on all public procurement contracts covered by the EU directives in the European Union.
- Public procurement in Denmark is highly regulated and transparent. All major tenders are published on platforms like the TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) database and the Danish public procurement portal, www.udbud.dk. The process is governed by EU and national rules that emphasize fair competition, non-discrimination, and transparency. To succeed, businesses must be prepared to navigate a rigorous bidding process that often requires detailed documentation, including technical specifications, pricing, and proof of compliance with environmental and social standards. Relationships and networks are important, but success ultimately depends on the quality, price, and overall value of the bid.
Advocacy
- U.S. companies bidding on government tenders may also qualify for U.S. Government advocacy. A unit of the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration, the Advocacy Center, coordinates U.S. Government interagency advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters bidding on public sector contracts with international governments and government agencies. The Advocacy Center works closely with the U.S. Commercial Service worldwide network and interagency partners to ensure that exporters of U.S. products and services have the best possible chance of winning government contracts. Advocacy assistance can take many forms but often involves the U.S. Embassy or other U.S. Government agencies expressing support for the U.S. bidders directly to the foreign government. Consult Advocacy Center for Foreign Government Contracts for additional information.