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Public Procurement in the Palestine

The Palestine has established a national public procurement system governed by a structured legal framework and operational regulations to ensure transparent, competitive, and accountable procurement processes for public goods, works, and services. Public procurement in Palestine applies to government ministries, public bodies, and other public authorities responsible for implementing national development and public service projects.

Procurement processes are conducted under the Public Procurement Law (Decree-Law No. 8 of 2014) and its implementing regulations, including subsequent amendments. These laws provide the standards and procedures for public bidding, competitive tendering, and contract award, with the aim of promoting fairness, integrity, and value for money in the use of public funds. 

Country & Economic Overview

Public Procurement Governance Framework

Public procurement is governed by national legislation and overseen by a combination of public authorities responsible for issuing tenders, evaluating bids, and awarding contracts in line with law and regulations. The public procurement system in Palestine is structured to align with international best practices while reflecting domestic legal requirements.  

• Primary Procurement Law: Public Procurement Law (Decree-Law No. 8 of 2014) and amendments (2019).  
• Regulatory Authority: Relevant ministries and government departments that issue tenders and manage procurement processes under the law.  
• Central Coordination: The Council of Ministers and related bodies organize centralized committees for certain procurements and oversight functions.  

Legal & Regulatory Framework

The legal foundation of public procurement in Palestine is built on the Public Procurement Law and its implementing regulations, which outline rules and procedures for public tendering and contracting. Key elements of the legal framework include:

• Competitive bidding procedures - Procurement generally follows competitive bidding under Public Procurement Law No. 8 of 2014. 
• Implementing rules and amendments - Regulations No. 5 of 2014 and amendments thereto define contract types, bidding methods, and administrative structures.  
• Public procurement council - The law envisages a Higher Council for Public Procurement Policies to oversee policy implementation and transparency. 

Procurement Procedures & Contracting

Public procurement procedures in Palestine generally consist of the following stages:

• Advertisement of procurement notices through official portals or public announcements. 
• Competitive bid submission in accordance with public procurement regulations.
• Public bid openings and evaluation based on criteria set within the law and procurement documentation. 
• Contract award and publication of results through official channels.

The law also stipulates conditions for bid validity and exceptions to normal procedures in specific circumstances governed by regulation.

E-Procurement and Publication Platforms

Government procurement notices, tender documents, and contract awards are often published on official tender portals and platforms accessible to suppliers domestically and internationally. Examples include:

• Palestinian Government Procurement Portal (Shiraa) - Offers access to procurement notices and tender documentation.
• Tenders aggregation platforms - Websites such as globaltenders.com list Palestinian tenders sourced from government and public entities.

Electronic bidding processes are referenced within Palestinian procurement law and studies, with e-tendering permitted in certain procedures, although physical submission may still be common for specific contract types.

Transparency, Complaints & Oversight

Transparency and accountability in public procurement are embedded in legal provisions and oversight mechanisms. While Palestine’s procurement law includes competitive bidding and public bid openings, civil society groups have recommended stronger activation of the policy council to ensure compliance and minimize exceptions. 

• Public bid opening requirements ensure transparent evaluation stages.
• Complaints and oversight functions are defined within legal and administrative frameworks, although enforcement and consistent application across agencies have been areas of ongoing reform. 

Alignment with International Standards

Palestinian procurement law and regulations are often aligned with international frameworks and best practices, including referencing model laws such as the UNCITRAL Model Law on Public Procurement in drafting and reform efforts. 

In certain donor-funded projects, international procurement guidelines (such as those used by the World Bank) are applied to ensure conformity with global financing requirements.

Practical Insights for Bidders

For suppliers interested in public procurement opportunities in Palestine, key considerations include:

• Registering with official procurement portals to access tender notices and documentation. 
• Monitoring competitive bidding announcements from government ministries and agencies.
• Preparing bids in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements under the Public Procurement Law and associated regulations.