How to win government contracts and tenders in Turkey

Comprehensive Guide to Winning Government Contracts in Türkiye

Türkiye’s government procurement market offers considerable opportunities for both domestic and international companies armed with a clear understanding of the country's regulatory frameworks, documentation requirements, and compliance expectations. Drawing exclusively on official government and intergovernmental sources, this guide provides actionable insights to effectively navigate and win public tenders.

Turkish Government Procurement Framework

Legal Basis

Public procurement in Türkiye operates under Law No. 4734 (Public Procurement Law), established in 2002. This law is partly harmonized with European Union directives due to Türkiye’s customs union arrangement with the EU. The procurement process adheres to principles of transparency, equal treatment, competition, and efficiency.

Regulatory Authorities

• Public Procurement Authority (Kamu İhale Kurumu - KİK): Oversees procurement procedures, ensures legal compliance, resolves disputes, and promotes standardization.
• Directorate General of State Supply Office (Devlet Malzeme Ofisi - DMO): Manages centralized procurement activities, including framework contracts for standard goods and services required by public authorities.

Eligibility & Registration Requirements

Local Presence Requirements

Foreign companies must demonstrate a recognized local presence in Türkiye:

• Registering a ".com.tr" domain requires proof of business activity, such as partnership agreements, invoicing documentation, or trademarks within Türkiye.
• Establishing a local subsidiary necessitates submitting officially translated corporate documents (such as certificates of incorporation) to relevant Turkish Chambers of Commerce.

Supplier Registration Process

Bidders need to register on mandatory digital platforms to participate in public tenders:

• EKAP (Electronic Public Procurement Platform): Required registration for submitting bids and accessing tender details. Companies must provide financial documentation, tax clearance certificates, and other sector-specific licenses.
• DMO E-Sales Portal: Centralized purchases platform, primarily for standard goods, requiring separate supplier registration and approval.

Required Documentation

• Officially translated Certificate of Incorporation
• Tax clearance statements and financial declarations
• Proof documents of prior business activities and local partnerships

Navigating Trade Policies & International Agreements

World Trade Organization (WTO) and GPA Status

Türkiye is currently not a full member of the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) under the World Trade Organization, although it remains in observer status and may be negotiating accession terms. Consequently, local firms typically hold priority unless specific bilateral agreements apply.

Bilateral Agreements

• EU–Türkiye Customs Union (1996): Provides market access for industrial goods. Note that agriculture and services are largely excluded, pending ongoing modernization discussions.
• MOU with Korea’s Public Procurement Service (PPS): Agreed cooperation focused on sharing procurement best practices and digital procurement technologies.

E-Procurement Systems

Participation in Turkish public procurement must be exercised electronically through specific official platforms:

• EKAP Portal: Managed by KİK, this system lists tender opportunities, facilitates electronic submissions, and provides updates throughout the procurement cycle.
• DMO E-Sales Platform: Allows purchases of common goods through a streamlined, standardized online catalogue. Vendors must pass technical and compliance assessments before being listed.

Preparing Competitive Bids

Understanding Technical Specifications (Şartname)

Compliance with detailed technical specifications published by procuring entities such as DMO is crucial:

• Ensure alignment of goods and services proposed with explicit technical criteria and quality standards, such as ISO certifications as stipulated in the procurement documents.
• Non-compliance, regardless of price competitiveness, risks disqualification from the tender process.

Financial Documentation and Guarantees

• Audited financial statements
• Bank-issued bid guarantees (typically a percentage of contract value)
• Detailed breakdowns of pricing and costing methodologies

Post-Submission Procedures and Dispute Resolution

Public procurement decisions are subject to scrutiny through structured appeal mechanisms:

• Bidders may submit formal disputes regarding award outcomes within the stipulated timeframe through KİK’s online objection portal.
• Grounds for challenge include procedural non-compliance by purchasing authorities or irregularities in bid evaluation.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Achieving success in Türkiye’s government procurement market requires rigorous preparation, in-depth understanding of local requirements, and strict compliance with procurement standards. Recommended strategies include:

• Register early on relevant e-procurement platforms and maintain complete and updated documentation.
• Utilize bilateral agreements, notably the customs union, to optimize market entry and cost advantages.
• Consult specialized legal and procurement advisors to ensure continued compliance with all evolving procurement regulations and practices.

By adopting these best practices and maintaining thorough due diligence, international firms can significantly enhance their competitiveness in Türkiye’s extensive and promising government procurement sector.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_procurement
[2] https://www.dmo.gov.tr/Eng/Home/EngIcerik/1214
[3] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/turkiye-implements-new-regulations-to-normalize-trade-with-syria-in-new-era/3478934
[4] https://web-solutions.eu/com-tr-domain-name-registration.htm
[5] https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/government-contracts-outside-eu
[6] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2025/03/602_393587.html
[7] https://www.dailysabah.com/business/economy/simsek-says-turkiye-less-vulnerable-to-global-trade-disruptions
[8] https://ikamet.com/activate-ptt-uets-e-devlet/
[9] https://www.brookings.edu/articles/in-the-era-of-trump-tariffs-turkey-should-look-to-the-european-union/
[10] https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/database/procurement/national/articles/345704/2025030300120000.html
[11] https://www.mondaq.com/turkey/inward-foreign-investment/1586166/company-formation-in-turkey-2025-updated-guide-for-foreign-investors
[12] https://www.achilles.com/industry-insights/procurement-act-23-faqs/
[13] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/adjusting-imports-of-steel-into-the-united-states/
[14] https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/database/procurement/national/articles/344672/2025022100040001.html
[15] https://www.tkgm.gov.tr
[16] https://www.ihale.gov.tr
[17] https://www.dmo.gov.tr/Yardim/Detay?id=46&s=DMO+%C5%9Eartnameleri