How to win government contracts and tenders in Peru
- Ian Makgill
- Guides
- 08 Mar, 2025
- 03 Mins read
Navigating Government Contracting in Peru: A Strategic Guide for Foreign Companies
Peru's public procurement market represents approximately 41% of its national budget, presenting substantial opportunities across sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, mining services, and agricultural machinery. However, less than 1% of active businesses engage in state contracting, highlighting both the challenges and the significant untapped potential available for informed foreign companies.
Overview of the Public Procurement Landscape
Peru’s procurement framework operates under the primary legislation, Law No. 30225 (Ley de Contrataciones del Estado - LCE), governed by the Organismo Supervisor de las Contrataciones del Estado (OSCE). Upcoming reforms under Law No. 32069 (Ley General de Contrataciones Públicas), effective from April 22, 2025, prioritize "Value-for-Money," life-cycle costing, modernized procedures, and streamlined dispute resolution through dedicated dispute prevention boards (Juntas de Prevención y Resolución de Disputas).
Key Regulatory Bodies
- OSCE/OECE: Transitioning into Organismo Especializado para las Contrataciones Públicas Eficientes (OECE), responsible for overseeing compliance and maintaining critical registries such as the Registro Nacional de Proveedores (RNP).
- Perú Compras: Centralized entity focusing on aggregating procurement needs, reducing duplications, and achieving greater negotiation advantages.
- Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF): Oversees fiscal responsibility, policy alignment, and publishes sector-specific procurement guidelines.
Trade Policies & International Agreements
Peru holds sixteen significant Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including extensive arrangements with major global economies providing enhanced access for foreign bidders:
- US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA): Gradually eliminates tariffs on numerous goods, fully implemented by 2026.
- EU-Andean Pact: Facilitates reciprocal trade access and market entry to EU companies.
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP): Broadens supplier opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.
- MERCOSUR Framework: Integrates regional markets, particularly in construction services, energy, and industrial materials sectors.
Non-Discrimination Principles
Under most FTAs, registered foreign firms benefit from equal treatment as domestic entities; exceptions apply in security-sensitive sectors, defence infrastructure, and in projects earmarked specifically for local SMEs (Article 50, LCE as amended by Ley 32069).
Registration Requirements
Mandatory Registrations
Foreign firms must fulfill specific registration obligations before bidding on public procurement contracts:
- Registro Nacional de Proveedores (RNP): Submit comprehensive company documents (officially translated into Spanish), financial statements, and evidence of technical capacity through the Sistema Electrónico de Contrataciones del Estado (SEACE). Construction services require additional certifications (e.g. professional engineers, architects credentials).
- Local Legal Representation: Foreign entities without Peruvian domicile must appoint a local legal representative to ensure compliance with taxation and dispute regulations.
- SEACE Platform: Essential portal for publishing tenders, submitting bids, receiving notices, and managing all procurement-related interactions digitally.
Documentation & Compliance Procedures
Typical bid submissions must include:
- Company Profile & Experience Certificates
- Technical Proposals matching explicitly defined tender specifications and technical documentation (use of advanced models like Building Information Modelling (BIM) encouraged under new regulations).
- Proof of Financial Capacity, including bank guarantees or suitable insurance instruments.
- Compliance Declarations related to environmental, labor, and industry standards.
Recent Legal Reforms: Ley N°32069
The implementation of Ley N°32069 introduces significant enhancements to Peru's procurement landscape effective from April 2025:
- "Value-for-Money" Criteria: Lifecycle costing and quality factors are prioritized over lowest-bid selections, encouraging innovation and competitiveness.
- Centralized Procurement: Perú Compras aggregates high-demand commodities like medical supplies and IT equipment to optimize efficiency and reduce administrative burdens.
- Dispute Prevention Mechanisms: Introduction of mandatory dispute prevention boards (Juntas de Prevención y Resolución de Disputas) simplifies early dispute resolution, minimizing projects delays and risks.
Best Practices & Strategic Considerations
Local Partnerships
Foreign companies are recommended to partner with reputable Peruvian entities. These partnerships provide local market knowledge, facilitate navigation of administrative procedures, and help to meet obligatory quotas for SME involvement in certain contracts.
Early Market Engagement
Participating proactively in market consultations (Indagación de Mercado) allows suppliers to influence technical specifications and build relationships. The upcoming reforms encourage mandatory procuring agency engagement with potential contractors.
Digital Integration
Leveraging the SEACE digital platform functionalities for submissions, bid management, and compliance tracking is crucial for ensuring adherence to the strict procedural deadlines.
Comprehensive Post-Award Management
A robust approach to contract administration—including careful tracking of deliverables, payments, penalties, variations, and using official dispute prevention tools—assists in maintaining strong contract performance histories for future opportunities.
Conclusion: Securing Sustainable Market Entry
Successfully entering and thriving within Peru's public sector procurement landscape requires meticulous adherence to evolving regulatory frameworks, strategic utilization of international trade frameworks, active engagement with digital governance platforms, and cultivating sustainable local relationships.
Foreign businesses can strategically capitalize on Peru’s robust public procurement market through careful preparation and compliance, proactive digital integration, and alignment with the upcoming Ley N°32069 regulatory framework. Effective application of these strategic insights ensures long-term success in Peru’s dynamic government contracting environment.
[1] https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/government-contracts-outside-eu
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_procurement
[3] https://www.ungm.org/Shared/KnowledgeCenter/Pages/OSCE
[4] https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/peru-emerges-significant-market-us-agricultural-products
[5] https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/database/procurement/national/articles/344672/2025022100040001.html
[6] https://www.tender-service.com/international/peru
[7] https://www.achilles.com/industry-insights/procurement-act-23-faqs/
[8] https://www.ungm.org/Shared/KnowledgeCenter/Pages/UNPD
[9] https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/osce-convocara-a-nuevos-vocales-para-el-tribunal-de-contrataciones-del-estado-noticia/
[10] https://www.latamcompra.com/region/peru
[11] https://www.gob.pe/institucion/osce/noticias/1118581-osce-peru-compras-y-mef-articulan-e-intensifican-acciones-para-la-implementacion-de-la-nueva-ley-general-de-contrataciones-publicas
[12] https://www.mef.gob.pe/contenidos/transparencia/transp_gestion/2024/Direccion_Adquisiciones.pdf
[13] https://diarioelnoticiero.com/osce-peru-compras-y-mef-articulan-e-intensifican-acciones-para-la-implementacion-de-la-nueva-ley-general-de-contrataciones-publicas/
[14] https://img.lpderecho.pe/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Resolucion-307-2025-TCE-S4-LPDerecho.pdf
[15] https://www.gob.pe/institucion/osce/informes-publicaciones/6463826-linea-de-tiempo-de-la-ley-n-32069-ley-general-de-contrataciones-publicas
[16] https://www.gob.pe/institucion/osce/noticias/1120588-osce-publica-proyectos-de-directivas-sobre-supervision-de-las-contrataciones-publicas
[17] https://www.gob.pe/de/22021-inscribirme-en-el-registro-nacional-de-proveedores-rnp-como-extranjero-no-domiciliado-para-proveedores-de-bienes-y-o-servicios
[18] https://www.gob.pe/ru/22008-inscribirme-en-el-registro-nacional-de-proveedores-rnp-como-ejecutor-de-obras
