Single-Stage Procedure in Public Procurement 2026

Single-stage procedure in procurement law: procurement procedure without a preceding call for participation. Distinction from the two-stage procedure and use cases.

Definition: A single-stage procurement procedure is a public contract award procedure in which suitability and bid are assessed in a single procedural step, without a separate preceding call for participation to select suitable candidates.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: Directive 2014/24/EU Art. 27, BVergG 2018, VgV § 15

What is a single-stage procedure?

In the single-stage procedure, the suitability check and the bid evaluation are combined in one step: all interested companies submit suitability evidence and bid at the same time, with no preceding selection of participants taking place. The classic example of a single-stage procedure is the open procedure (also: public tender), in which any interested company can apply and submit a bid.

The counterpart to the single-stage procedure is the two-stage procedure, in which a call for participation takes place first (1st stage: suitability check) and only the selected candidates are then invited to submit bids (2nd stage: bid evaluation).

The open procedure as the default single-stage procedure

The open procedure (Art. 27 Directive 2014/24/EU) is the most important single-stage procurement procedure and is regarded as the default procedure for contracts above the EU thresholds. It offers maximum transparency and enables the broadest competition because, in principle, any interested company can participate. The minimum bid submission period is 35 days from the date the contract notice is sent (which may be reduced to 15 days where a prior information notice has been published and bids are submitted electronically).

Advantages and disadvantages of single-stage procedures

Single-stage procedures are simpler and faster for contracting authorities and bidders but less suitable for complex procurement projects with many potential interested parties.

Advantages:

Shorter procedural duration
Lower administrative burden for contracting authorities and bidders
Maximum competition through open participation

Disadvantages:

The contracting authority must examine all submitted bids (including those from unsuitable bidders)
High examination effort in case of many bids
Poorly suited for complex or sensitive procurements

Distinction from the two-stage procedure

Two-stage procedures – such as the restricted procedure with a call for participation or the competitive dialogue – allow for a targeted pre-selection of suitable bidders. This is useful for complex procurement projects, information requiring confidentiality, or very resource-intensive bid procedures in which not all interested parties should have to complete the full bid preparation.

Related terms

FAQ

Can a contracting authority freely choose between a single-stage and a two-stage procedure? Not entirely. The open procedure (single-stage) is the default procedure; deviations (e.g. restricted procedure, negotiated procedure) are only permitted in the cases regulated by law.

Are there single-stage negotiated procedures? Yes. The negotiated procedure without prior publication (Art. 32 Directive 2014/24/EU) is a single-stage procedure but is only permitted in narrowly defined exceptional cases.

Last updated: January 2026 All information provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.