# Dutch — Public Procurement Sub-Lexicon

Auto-generated from translation experience. Maps Dutch public procurement,
concession, and state aid terms to their correct English equivalents.
Dutch procurement law is governed by the Aanbestedingswet 2012 (amended
2016 and 2022) implementing EU Directives 2014/24/EU (classical),
2014/25/EU (utilities), and 2014/23/EU (concessions).

## Core Procurement Terminology

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| aanbesteding | (public) procurement / tender | |
| overheidsopdracht | public contract | |
| aanbestedingsplichtig | subject to procurement rules | |
| aanbestedende dienst | contracting authority | |
| speciaal-sectorbedrijf | contracting entity (utilities) | |
| ondernemer / inschrijver / gegadigde | economic operator / tenderer / candidate | |
| gegadigde | candidate (restricted / negotiated) | |
| inschrijver | tenderer | |
| consortium / combinatie | consortium / grouping | |
| onderaannemer | subcontractor | |
| beroep op bekwaamheid van derden | reliance on third-party capacities | |
| uniform Europees aanbestedingsdocument (UEA) | European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) | |

## Legal Framework

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aanbestedingswet 2012 (Aw 2012) | Public Procurement Act 2012 | |
| Aanbestedingsreglement Werken (ARW 2016) | Public Works Procurement Regulation 2016 | Below-threshold / Dutch-specific |
| Wet implementatie rechtsbeschermingsrichtlijnen aanbesteden (WIRA) | Procurement Remedies Act | |
| Commissie van Aanbestedingsexperts (CvAE) | Committee of Procurement Experts | Non-binding advisory body |
| PIANOo | PIANOo | Dutch expertise center for procurement |
| TenderNed | TenderNed | Dutch national e-procurement platform |
| aankondiging | notice | |
| vooraankondiging | prior information notice (PIN) | |
| gunningsbeslissing | award decision | |
| aankondiging gegunde opdracht | contract award notice | |

## Types of Procurement Procedure

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| openbare procedure | open procedure | |
| niet-openbare procedure | restricted procedure | |
| mededingingsprocedure met onderhandeling | competitive procedure with negotiation | |
| onderhandelingsprocedure zonder bekendmaking | negotiated procedure without prior publication | Limited to strict grounds |
| concurrentiegerichte dialoog | competitive dialog | |
| innovatiepartnerschap | innovation partnership | |
| dynamisch aankoopsysteem | dynamic purchasing system | |
| elektronische veiling | electronic auction | |
| prijsvraag | design contest | |
| raamovereenkomst | framework agreement | |
| mini-competitie | mini-competition (within framework) | |
| meervoudig onderhandse procedure | multiple-party private tender | Below-threshold Dutch procedure |
| enkelvoudig onderhandse procedure | single-party private tender | |

## Thresholds and Scope

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Europese drempelwaarden | EU thresholds | |
| boven de drempel / onder de drempel | above / below threshold | |
| geraamde waarde van de opdracht | estimated value of the contract | |
| duidelijk grensoverschrijdend belang | clear cross-border interest | Triggers EU-principles duties even below threshold |
| klassieke sector | classical sector | Public authorities (Directive 2014/24) |
| nutssector / speciale sector | utilities sector | Water, energy, transport, postal (Directive 2014/25) |
| concessieopdracht | concession | Directive 2014/23 |
| werkenconcessie | works concession | |
| dienstenconcessie | services concession | |
| opdracht voor werken | public works contract | |
| opdracht voor leveringen | public supply contract | |
| opdracht voor diensten | public services contract | |
| gemengde opdracht | mixed contract | |

## Selection, Qualification and Exclusion

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| uitsluitingsgronden | grounds for exclusion | |
| dwingende uitsluitingsgronden | mandatory grounds for exclusion | |
| facultatieve uitsluitingsgronden | optional grounds for exclusion | |
| verklaring omtrent het gedrag (VOG) | certificate of conduct | |
| past performance | past performance | |
| selectiecriteria | selection criteria | |
| geschiktheidseisen | suitability requirements | |
| economische en financiële draagkracht | economic and financial standing | |
| technische en beroepsbekwaamheid | technical and professional ability | |
| referenties / kerncompetenties | references / core competences | Under proportionaliteitsgids |
| geschiktheid van de inschrijver | suitability of the tenderer | |
| Beleidsregel integriteit en uitsluiting | Policy Rule Integrity and Exclusion | |
| Wet Bibob | Bibob Act | Allows authority to assess integrity of tenderer |
| Bibob-toets | Bibob test / integrity test | |

## Award Criteria and Evaluation

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| gunningscriteria | award criteria | |
| economisch meest voordelige inschrijving (EMVI) | most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) | |
| beste prijs-kwaliteitverhouding (BPKV) | best price-quality ratio | Default under Dutch law |
| laagste prijs | lowest price | Exception — must be justified |
| laagste kosten op basis van kosteneffectiviteit | lowest cost based on cost-effectiveness | Life-cycle costing |
| levenscycluskosten | life-cycle costs | |
| duurzaamheid | sustainability | |
| sociale voorwaarden / social return | social return / social conditions | |
| SROI / Social Return on Investment | SROI | |
| gunningscriteria met subweging | award criteria with sub-weighting | |
| scoringsmethode / beoordelingsmatrix | scoring method / evaluation matrix | |
| abnormaal lage inschrijving | abnormally low tender | |
| voorbehoud | reservation | |
| verduidelijking | clarification | |
| nota van inlichtingen | clarification note / Q&A document | Dutch-specific term |
| aanvullende vragen / inlichtingenronde | further questions / Q&A round | |

## Contract Award and Standstill

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| voorlopige gunning | intended award | |
| standstilltermijn / opschortende termijn | standstill period | 20 days minimum |
| definitieve gunning | final award | |
| motivering van gunningsbeslissing | reasons for award decision | Required content under Aw 2012 |
| relevante kenmerken en voordelen | relevant characteristics and advantages | |
| alcatel-kennisgeving | Alcatel notice | Named after ECJ Alcatel case |
| afwijzingsbrief | rejection letter | |
| bezwaar / kort geding aanhangig maken | lodge objection / apply for injunction | |
| contractondertekening | contract signing | |
| publicatie van gegunde opdracht | publication of award notice | 30 days after award |

## Remedies and Challenges

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| rechtsbescherming | legal protection / remedies | |
| voorlopige voorziening | preliminary relief | |
| kort geding | preliminary relief proceedings | Standard Dutch procurement remedy route |
| voorzieningenrechter | judge in preliminary relief | |
| bodemprocedure | main proceedings / substantive proceedings | |
| rechtsverwerking / Grossmann-verweer | forfeiture of rights / Grossmann defense | Tenderer must object promptly or lose right to challenge |
| klachtenmeldpunt | complaints desk | |
| klacht aan aanbestedende dienst | complaint to the contracting authority | |
| advies Commissie van Aanbestedingsexperts | advice of Committee of Procurement Experts | Non-binding |
| vernietiging van de overeenkomst | annulment of the contract | Available for severe breaches |
| verkorting van de looptijd | shortening of contract duration | Alternative sanction |
| bestuurlijke boete | administrative fine | |
| schadevergoeding | damages | |

## Specific Dutch Procurement Features

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gids Proportionaliteit | Proportionality Guide | Quasi-binding ("apply or explain") — on clustering, turnover requirements, references, etc. |
| clusterverbod | prohibition on disproportionate clustering | Art. 1.5 Aw 2012 — contracts must not be unnecessarily aggregated if disadvantaging SMEs |
| samenvoeging | bundling | |
| percelen | lots | |
| split obligation | duty to consider lots | |
| proportionaliteit | proportionality | General obligation under Art. 1.10, 1.13, 1.16 Aw 2012 |
| transparantie / objectiviteit / non-discriminatie | transparency / objectivity / non-discrimination | Core Dutch/EU principles |
| gelijkheidsbeginsel | equal treatment principle | |
| voldoende bepaald | sufficiently determined | |
| begrijpelijke eisen | comprehensible requirements | |
| marktconsultatie | market consultation | |
| dialoogfase | dialog phase | Competitive dialog |
| aanbestedingsleidraad | tender guidelines / tender document | |
| bestek | specification / tender specification | |
| uitnodiging tot inschrijving (UTI) | invitation to tender | |
| Nederlandse procurement portal / TenderNed | Dutch procurement portal / TenderNed | |

## State Aid and Other Overlays

| Dutch | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| staatssteun | State aid | |
| artikel 107 VWEU | Article 107 TFEU | |
| aanmeldingsplichtige steun | notifiable aid | |
| de-minimissteun | de minimis aid | |
| algemene groepsvrijstellingsverordening (AGVV) | General Block Exemption Regulation | |
| DAEB (dienst van algemeen economisch belang) | SGEI (service of general economic interest) | |
| Altmark-criteria | Altmark criteria | |
| foreign subsidies-verordening (FSR) | Foreign Subsidies Regulation | EU 2022/2560 — affects procurement for large contracts |
| Wet internationale aanbestedingsinstrument (IPI) | International Procurement Instrument | EU Regulation 2022/1031 |
| FDI-screening (Vifo) | FDI screening (Vifo Act) | Investeringstoets op risico's voor de nationale veiligheid |

## Notes for Translators

- **Aanbestedingswet 2012**: Dutch implementation of EU procurement directives. Major amendments in 2016 (2014 directives) and 2022. Translate as "Public Procurement Act 2012" or "Aw 2012" (explain on first use).
- **Gids Proportionaliteit**: Unique Dutch instrument. Not statute but quasi-binding — contracting authorities must apply or explain deviations. Deals with clustering, financial requirements, reference requirements, award criteria. Flag where tender documents invoke Gids.
- **Clusterverbod (Art. 1.5 Aw 2012)**: Prohibition on disproportionate clustering of contracts that would unduly disadvantage SMEs. Dutch-specific elaboration of SME-access principle. Key issue in Dutch tender challenges. Translate as "prohibition on clustering" with gloss.
- **Nota van inlichtingen**: Distinctive Dutch feature — formal Q&A document issued by contracting authority during tender period, aggregating and answering tenderer questions. Binding part of tender documents. Translate as "clarification note" or "Q&A document" — preserve the formal status.
- **Kort geding / voorzieningenrechter**: Primary procurement remedy route in the Netherlands. Tenderers challenge award decisions via kort geding before the voorzieningenrechter of a district court, typically within the standstill period. Translate as "preliminary relief proceedings" / "judge in preliminary relief".
- **Grossmann-verweer / rechtsverwerking**: Named after ECJ Grossmann case — defense that tenderer forfeited rights to challenge by failing to object promptly during the tender. Dutch courts apply rigorously. Translate as "Grossmann defense" or "rights forfeiture" with gloss.
- **Commissie van Aanbestedingsexperts (CvAE)**: Non-binding advisory body on procurement complaints. Free of charge. Used extensively. Translate as "Committee of Procurement Experts (CvAE)".
- **TenderNed / PIANOo**: TenderNed is the Dutch official e-procurement platform. PIANOo is the government expertise center (similar to UK CCS). Preserve names.
- **Bibob-toets**: Integrity test under the Wet Bibob — allows contracting authorities to assess tenderers' backgrounds for criminal/integrity risks. Unique Dutch instrument. Translate as "Bibob test" with gloss on first use.
- **EMVI vs BPKV**: EMVI = economisch meest voordelige inschrijving = most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). BPKV = beste prijs-kwaliteitverhouding = best price-quality ratio. Under Aw 2012, BPKV is the default sub-category of EMVI; lowest price requires justification. Translate BPKV as "best price-quality ratio" — distinct from "best value".
- **Standstilltermijn**: 20-day mandatory pause between award decision and contract signing during which tenderers can challenge. Dutch contracting authorities must observe strictly — breach leads to possible contract annulment. Translate as "standstill period"; sometimes "Alcatel period" after ECJ Alcatel case.
- **Aanbestedende dienst vs speciaal-sectorbedrijf**: Distinction between classical-sector contracting authority (government, agency) and utilities-sector contracting entity. Different directives and different thresholds. Translate consistently as "contracting authority" (classical) or "contracting entity" (utilities).
- **Aanbestedingsreglement Werken (ARW 2016)**: Dutch-specific procurement regulation for below-threshold works contracts. Voluntarily applied; not EU-required. Translate as "Public Works Procurement Regulation 2016".
- **Percelen / lots**: Under Aw 2012, contracting authorities must either split contracts into lots or justify non-splitting. Relates to clusterverbod. Translate as "lots" and "split into lots".
- **Social return (SROI)**: Dutch-standard requirement for 2–5% of contract value to fund employment of disadvantaged groups. Translate as "social return" or SROI (retain English acronym). Common in large government contracts.
- **Duidelijk grensoverschrijdend belang**: Even below-threshold contracts trigger EU Treaty principles (non-discrimination, transparency) if there is "clear cross-border interest". Dutch courts apply this standard. Translate as "clear cross-border interest".
- **Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR)**: EU 2022/2560 — in force July 2023. Affects procurement above EUR 250M (bids from non-EU subsidized undertakings require notification). Dutch procurement officers increasingly mandate FSR compliance statements. Retain acronym.
- **IPI / Wet internationale aanbestedingsinstrument**: EU Regulation 2022/1031 — allows EU to exclude/restrict non-EU economic operators from third countries without reciprocal access. Being applied. Translate as "International Procurement Instrument".
- **Vifo / FDI screening**: Wet veiligheidstoets investeringen, fusies en overnames — Dutch FDI screening regime since June 2023. Intersects with procurement where tenderers are non-EU. Flag for security-sensitive contracts.
- **Belgian procurement**: Belgian Public Procurement Act 2016 (Wet overheidsopdrachten) transposes same EU directives, but Belgian-specific: different thresholds, Conseil d'État as review body (not kort geding), different clustering rules. Always differentiate Belgian documents.
- **ESPD / UEA**: European Single Procurement Document — self-declaration used across EU procurements. Dutch "Uniform Europees Aanbestedingsdocument" = ESPD.
