Invitation for Pre-Qualification of Grade 1–5 General and Building Contractors for Construction Works Across Ethiopia
UNOPS
Invitation for Pre-Qualification of Grade 1–5 General and Building Contractors for Construction Works Across Ethiopia
Request for pre-qualification
Reference:
PQ/2026/62772
Beneficiary countries or territories:
Ethiopia
Registration level:
Basic
Published on:
25-May-2026
Deadline on:
10-Jun-2026 09:00 0.00
Description
Tender Description:
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) invites eligible firms to submit pre-qualification documents, in English, for the Pre-Qualification of Grade 1–5 General and Building Contractors for Construction Works Across Ethiopia. This pre-qualification exercise is intended to establish a roster of qualified contractors that may be invited to participate in future tender opportunities for construction works implemented by UNOPS throughout Ethiopia.
Scope of Pre-Qualification:
The pre-qualification covers contractors registered in Ethiopia under the following categories:
Lot 1 : Building/General Contractor Grade I, II & III Lot
Lot 2 : Building/General Contractor Grade I, II, III IV & V
Participation Note for Grade I to III Contractors:
Eligible firms must hold valid licenses in Grades 1 to 5 issued by the appropriate Ethiopian authorities.
This Pre-qualification is a formal method of assessing a Construction Company against a set of pre-determined criteria. This process is related to upcoming infrastructural projects which UNOPS Ethiopia Office will engage with its partners in the coming years. Please note that a pre-qualification will be valid for a maximum of two years..
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Interested vendors must respond to this tender using the UNOPS eSourcing system, via the UNGM portal. In order to access the full UNOPS tender details, request clarifications on the tender, and submit a vendor response to a tender using the system, vendors need to be registered as a UNOPS vendor at the UNGM portal and be logged into UNGM. For guidance on how to register on UNGM and submit responses to UNOPS tenders in the UNOPS eSourcing system, please refer to the user guide and other resources available at: https://esourcing.unops.org/#/Help/Guides
Interested in improving your knowledge of what UNOPS procures, how we procure and how to become a vendor to supply to our organization? Learn more about our free online course on “Doing business with UNOPS” here
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) invites eligible firms to submit pre-qualification documents, in English, for the Pre-Qualification of Grade 1–5 General and Building Contractors for Construction Works Across Ethiopia. This pre-qualification exercise is intended to establish a roster of qualified contractors that may be invited to participate in future tender opportunities for construction works implemented by UNOPS throughout Ethiopia.
Scope of Pre-Qualification:
The pre-qualification covers contractors registered in Ethiopia under the following categories:
- General Contractors (GC)
- Building Contractors (BC)`
Lot 1 : Building/General Contractor Grade I, II & III Lot
Lot 2 : Building/General Contractor Grade I, II, III IV & V
Participation Note for Grade I to III Contractors:
- Contractors classified as Grade I to III who satisfy the evaluation criteria for Lot 1 are not required to submit an application for Lot 2; they will be automatically pre-qualified, as their credentials exceed the requirements for Lot 2.
- Contractors classified as Grade I to III who do not meet the qualification criteria for Lot 1 may apply for Lot 2 and will be pre-qualified upon verification of compliance with the specific criteria for Lot 2.
Eligible firms must hold valid licenses in Grades 1 to 5 issued by the appropriate Ethiopian authorities.
This Pre-qualification is a formal method of assessing a Construction Company against a set of pre-determined criteria. This process is related to upcoming infrastructural projects which UNOPS Ethiopia Office will engage with its partners in the coming years. Please note that a pre-qualification will be valid for a maximum of two years..
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Interested vendors must respond to this tender using the UNOPS eSourcing system, via the UNGM portal. In order to access the full UNOPS tender details, request clarifications on the tender, and submit a vendor response to a tender using the system, vendors need to be registered as a UNOPS vendor at the UNGM portal and be logged into UNGM. For guidance on how to register on UNGM and submit responses to UNOPS tenders in the UNOPS eSourcing system, please refer to the user guide and other resources available at: https://esourcing.unops.org/#/Help/Guides
Interested in improving your knowledge of what UNOPS procures, how we procure and how to become a vendor to supply to our organization? Learn more about our free online course on “Doing business with UNOPS” here
This tender has been posted through the UNOPS eSourcing system. / Cet avis a été publié au moyen du système eSourcing de l'UNOPS. / Esta licitación ha sido publicada usando el sistema eSourcing de UNOPS. Vendor Guide / Guide pour Fournisseurs / Guíra para Proveedores: https://esourcing.unops.org/#/Help/Guides
First name:
N/A
Surname:
N/A
This procurement opportunity integrates considerations for at least one sustainability indicator. However, it does not meet the requirements to be considered sustainable.
Human rights and labour issues
Social
The tender contains sustainability considerations related to human rights, fundamental principles and rights at work, occupational health and safety, fairly traded goods, targeted employment of people with disabilities, etc.
| Link | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| https://esourcing.unops.org/#/Help/Guides | UNOPS eSourcing – Vendor guide and other system resources / Guide pour fournisseurs et autres ressources sur le système / Guía para proveedores y otros recursos sobre el sistema |
72121406
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School building construction service
New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Thanks for your interest in UNOPS prequalification of contractor and subsequent request for clarification. Please find below a summarized form of question and UNOPS evalaution Team response for your reference.Question 12 : Does a single construction project with a contract value of ETB 150 million satisfy the requirement of having completed at least three separate construction projects worth ETB 50 million each for Lot 1 (or similarly, does a single ETB 90 million project satisfy the requirement for two ETB 30 million projects for Lot 2)?Answer 12: No. The requirement for multiple projects is a strategic measure of a contractor’s ongoing capacity, which a single large project cannot demonstrate. The original criteria are essential to assess:Consistency: Proves the ability to deliver quality results repeatedly rather than relying on a one-time success.Stakeholder Management: Demonstrates the capacity to handle diverse clients and consultants across different environments.Operational Versatility: Confirms experience in varied site conditions and locations.Resource Capacity: Validates the ability to manage multiple contracts and resources over a sustained period.Maintaining the original criteria ensures a more reliable and effective assessment of organizational fitness.With Kind Regards,UNOPS Evaluaution Team
Edited on:
08-Jun-2026 14:02
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org
New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Thanks for your interest in UNOPS prequalification of contractor and subsequent request for clarification. Please find below a summarized form of question and UNOPS evalaution Team response for your reference.Question 10 :Our company holds both GC-1 and BC-1 licenses. Is it sufficient to attach only the GC-1 Certificate of Competence, or should we attach both?Answer 10:While it is advisable to attach both for documentation purposes, providing either certificate is sufficient to meet the specific criteria.Question 11 :Regarding Returnable Schedule 5, may a department head sign as an 'Authorized Witness'?Answer 11:UNOPS requires all forms to be signed by the General Manager/Director or their authorized representative who has been delegated the authority to commit the Applicant's organization to obligations.With Kind Regards,UNOPS Evalution Team
Edited on:
08-Jun-2026 10:29
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org
New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Thanks for your interest in UNOPS prequalification of contractor and subsequent request for clarification. Please find below a summarized form of question and UNOPS evalaution Team response for your reference.Question 9:We seek clarification regarding the scope stated in Returnable Schedule 1, which currently reads: "1. We, [Name of Applicant], hereby submit an application for pre-qualification for the General water works construction across Ethiopia..." We believe this may be an error and request that it be updated to "General/Building Contractor." Thank you.Answer 9:This is a typographical error. Please update Returnable Schedule 1 to correctly state: "Pre-Qualification of Grade 1–5 General and Building Contractors for Construction Works Across Ethiopia."With Kind Regards,UNOPS Evalution Team
Edited on:
06-Jun-2026 06:15
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org
New clarification added: dear bidders,Thanks for your interest in UNOPS prequalification of contractor and subsequent request for clarification. Please find below a summarized form of your question and UNOPS evalaution Team response for your reference.Question 8:We seek clarification regarding the requirement to submit 'Returnable Schedule 9: Joint Venture and Ownership Information Form.' As our company is participating in the bid as a single entity and not as a Joint Venture (JV), please confirm if the submission of Schedule 9 is mandatory. We note that the form is currently marked as 'Mandatory' in the submission requirements, with no option to indicate 'Not Applicable.' Your guidance is appreciated.Answer 8:For applicants participating as a single entity, the 'Joint Venture and Ownership Information Form' (Schedule 9) is considered not applicable. Please write 'Not Applicable – Submitting as a Single Entity' clearly on the body of the form and include it in your submission package.WIth kind regards,unops evaluation team
Edited on:
06-Jun-2026 06:03
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org
New amendment added #2: Date: June 5, 2026Subject:: Amendement No 2Dear Bidders,Please be advised of the following amendments to this IFP. You are kindly requested to take these changes into account in your submissions:2.1 Pre-Bid Meeting UpdatesFollowing the pre-bid meeting held on June 3, 2026, the presentation slides and meeting minutes are attached for your reference.2.2 Evaluation Criteria AmendmentsThe Evaluation Criteria under section 3.6 (Lot 2) have been amended as follows:Previous Requirement:Applicants must be registered with an authorized Government Entity in the Federal Republic of Ethiopia to engage in Construction Works and submit a Certificate of Competence (CoC) as a GC/BC Grade IV or V contractor.Revised Requirement:Section 3.6 (Lot 2) is now open to General Works and Building Contractors (GC/BC) Grade I, II, III, IV, and V.Participation Note for Grade I to III Contractors:Contractors classified as Grade I to III who satisfy the evaluation criteria for Lot 1 are not required to submit an application for Lot 2; they will be automatically pre-qualified, as their credentials exceed the requirements for Lot 2.Contractors classified as Grade I to III who do not meet the qualification criteria for Lot 1 may apply for Lot 2 and will be pre-qualified upon verification of compliance with the specific criteria for Lot 2.Vendors who have questions concerning this Amendment or other part of the IFQ are free to request for clarification using the clarification tab in this esourcing platform.Best regards,UNOPS Evaluation Team
Edited on:
05-Jun-2026 13:31
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org
New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Thanks for your interest in UNOPS prequalification of contractor and subsequent request for clarification. Please find below a summarized form of your question and UNOPS evalaution Team response for your reference.Question 5: Contractor grading vs Annual Turnover RequirementThe criteria state: "Applicant should have an average annual turnover of a minimum of ETB 60 million (for Lot 2) / ETB 100 million (for Lot 1) in any one of the last three (3) years." This requirement does not take into account the Ethiopian Construction Certification and Registration Directive (Directive No. 648/2021). In accordance with this directive, which is binding for all contractor grading systems, we have attached the maximum annual turnover figures. The turnover thresholds you have specified significantly exceed those stipulated in the directive and therefore appear subjective (not legal).Answer 5: Please note that the turnover figures referenced in your query appear to be based on an earlier version of the contractor registration directive. The currently applicable regulation is the Directive for the Registration of Construction Professionals and Contractors (Amended), Directive No. 718/2021.In this regard, it is important to distinguish between:Contractor grading requirements established by the Government of Ethiopia, which determine the maximum contract value a contractor is licensed to undertake under a single contract. Under Directive No. 718/2021, the indicative thresholds are:Grade 1: Above ETB 210 millionGrade 2: Up to ETB 210 millionGrade 3: Up to ETB 160 millionGrade 4: Up to ETB 110 millionGrade 5: Up to ETB 54 millionUNOPS financial qualification requirements, which are established solely to assess an applicant’s financial capacity and ability to successfully perform contracts under the intended procurement exercise.Under this prequalification exercise, applicants are required to demonstrate successful completion of projects with a minimum value of ETB 50 million for Lot 1 and ETB 30 million for Lot 2. These thresholds are substantially below the maximum project values associated with the respective contractor grades under the national registration framework.Furthermore, the annual turnover requirement is a procurement-specific qualification criterion and should not be confused with a contractor grading requirement. In accordance with established public procurement practice, minimum turnover requirements are determined by the procuring entity based on the anticipated contract value, scope, complexity, and risk profile of the procurement. Consequently, such requirements may differ from, and are not necessarily linked to, the financial thresholds used for contractor registration and grading purposes.Accordingly, UNOPS confirms that the qualification requirements is legally biding that have been developed in a manner consistent with the applicable national directive and are proportionate to the nature, scope, and objectives of this prequalification exercise.Question No 6: Treatment of Revenue from Real Estate Development ProjectsFor construction companies that also engage in real estate projects as part of their business operations, sales may be considered as turnover provided that contract agreements are made, payment certificates are issued, receipts are issued, the accounts are audited, and all construction procedures are duly met. (the contractor is in the same trading legal entity but different organizations from the client).Answer 6:The annual turnover requirement is intended to assess the applicant's financial capacity and to demonstrate that the company has sufficient business volume to successfully undertake and deliver contracts of the nature contemplated under this prequalification exercise. It also serves as an indicator of the scale of operations and contracts that the applicant is capable of managing.Accordingly, revenue derived from real estate development and construction activities may be considered as part of the applicant's turnover, provided that such revenue is reflected in the audited financial statements of the applicant company and forms part of its officially reported business income. The applicant may be requested to provide supporting documentation demonstrating the source and legitimacy of the reported revenue.Question No 7: Qualification Criteria Item 3 (Client References)The criteria require that project references be obtained from organizations "such as UNOPS/UN agencies, government, and other international bilateral/multilateral organizations." However, legally registered companies owned by private individuals are not included in this client category. This exclusion contravenes fundamental market economy principles.Answer 7: Based on Amendment No. 1 to the Prequalification (PQ) document, the criteria for client references have been revised to explicitly include private sector entities experience provided those projects are of similar nature, scale, and complexity, and are supported by verifiable completion certificates or performance evidence. With Kind Regards,UNOPS Evalaution Team
Edited on:
01-Jun-2026 19:19
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org
New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Thanks for your interest in UNOPS prequalification of contractor and subsequent request for clarification. Please find below a summarized form of your question and UNOPS evalaution Team response for your reference.Question 4: Work Experience Client Reference RequirementUnder Section II – Invitation for Pre-Qualification (Scope, Evaluation Method and Criteria), applicants are required to submit reference letters and/or certificates of completion demonstrating successful completion of water works projects (minimum three for Lot 1 and two for Lot 2). However, this prequalification exercise is for Grade 1–5 General Contractors (GC) and Building Contractors (BC). Could you please clarify whether the requirement for water works project experience is intentional, or if experience in general building and civil construction projects relevant to the contractor categories will also be considered?Answer 4:Thank you for highlighting this important point. You are correct in observing the inconsistency, which has been formally addressed in Amendment No. 1.The requirement for "water works project" experience was a typographical error and has been officially corrected to align with the scope of the prequalification for General Contractors (GC) and Building Contractors (BC).With Kind Regards,UNOPS Evalaution Team
Edited on:
01-Jun-2026 18:16
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org
New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Thanks for your interest in UNOPS prequalification of contractor and subsequent request for clarification. Please find below a summarized form of your question and UNOPS evalaution Team response for your reference.Question 3: Annual Turnover RequirementUnder PQ II, 4. qualification criteria, financial capability :- Applicant should have average annual turnover of minimum ETB 100 Million for lot one and 60 million for lot two in any one of the last three (3) years; our question the sentence includes both average and pick turn over which is one is correct?Answer 3:The contradiction in the original statement was due to a typographical error. Amendment No. 1 officially corrects this to reflect the requirement for a single year's turnover. The term “average” has been formally removed via Amendment No. 1 to the Invitation for Prequalification document. For Lot 1: The Applicant must have an annual turnover of minimum ETB 100 Million in any one of the last three (3) years.For Lot 2: The Applicant must have an annual turnover of minimum ETB 60 Million in any one of the last three (3) yearsWith Kind Regards,UNOPS Evalaution Team
Edited on:
01-Jun-2026 18:10
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org
New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Thanks for your interest in UNOPS prequalification of contractor and subsequent request for clarification. Please find below a summarized form of question and UNOPS evalaution Team response for your reference.Question 1: Pre-Bid Meeting DateUnder the Tender Particulars, the Pre-Bid Virtual/Online Meeting is scheduled for 01 June 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. However, this date coincides with the National Election Day in Ethiopia, during which government offices and many organizations are expected to be officially closed. Could you kindly confirm whether the Pre-Bid Meeting will proceed as scheduled or advise if an alternative date and time will be communicated?Answer 1:The Pre-Bid and Clarification Meeting is postponed to Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 11:00 UTC/ 2:00 PM in the afternoon. Prospective bidders’ strongly advised to attend this prebid meeting..Question 2: Schedule 9 – Document Checklist for Non-Joint Venture SubmissionsUnder Schedule 9 – Document Checklist Attachment of the Prequalification Requirements, please clarify the documentation requirements applicable to bidders submitting as a single entity (Non-Joint Venture). Specifically, could you confirm which documents are required to be submitted by a bidder that is not participating in a Joint Venture arrangement and whether any Joint Venture-specific forms or supporting documents may be omitted from the submission?Answer 2:Schedule 9 is applicable only to applicants submitting their prequalification application as a Joint Venture (JV). Bidders applying as a single legal entity are not required to complete or submit Schedule 9. Accordingly, applicants submitting as an individual entity may omit Schedule 9 from their submission, as this form is not applicable to non-Joint Venture applications.With Kind Regards,UNOPS Evalaution Team
Edited on:
01-Jun-2026 17:57
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org
New amendment added #1: Date : June 1, 2026Subject: Amendment 1Dear Bidders,Following requests for clarification from prospective Bidders and an internal review to correct typographical errors and enhance clarity in the Prequalification (PQ) document, UNOPS is hereby issuing Amendment No. 1 with the following changes.A. Revision of Critical DeadlinesPQ Submission Closing Date:CHANGED FROM: June 8, 2026, 09:00 UTCTO: June 10, 2026, 09:00 UTCThe submission deadline is extended by two (2) days.Pre-Bid and Clarification Meeting:CHANGED FROM: Monday, June 1, 2026, 07:00 UTC/ 10:00 AMTO: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 11:00 UTC/ 2:00 PM in the afternoonClarification Request Deadline:CHANGED FROM: June 4, 2026, 09:00 UTCTO: June 8, 2026, 09:00 UTCB. Amendments to Prequalification CriteriaThe following sections in the Invitation for Prequalification document are hereby revised:Financial Turnover Requirement – Typographical Correction (Lot 1):The term “average” is removed from the Financial Capability – Sales Turnover requirement.CHANGED FROM: "Financial capability – Sales Turnover: Applicant should have average annual turnover of minimum ETB 100 Million in any one of the last three (3) years;"TO: "Financial capability – Sales Turnover: Applicant should have annual turnover of minimum ETB 100 Million in any one of the last three (3) years;"Financial Turnover Requirement – Typographical Correction (Lot 2):The term “average” is removed from the Financial Capability – Sales Turnover requirement.CHANGED FROM: "Financial capability – Sales Turnover: Applicant should have average annual turnover of minimum ETB 60 Million in any one of the last three (3) years;"TO: "Financial capability – Sales Turnover: Applicant should have annual turnover of minimum ETB 60 Million in any one of the last three (3) years;"Work Experience Client Reference Requirement – Broadening Acceptance (Lot 1):The list of acceptable client references is expanded to include private sector entities.CHANGED FROM: "...supported by letters of reference and/or completion certificates from international organizations (e.g., UNOPS/UN agencies), government entities, or other bilateral/multilateral organizations."TO: "...supported by letters of reference and/or completion certificates from international organizations (e.g., UNOPS/UN agencies), government entities, other bilateral/multilateral organizations, recognized public institutions, or legally registered private sector entities."Work Experience Client Reference Requirement – Broadening Acceptance (Lot 2):The list of acceptable client references is expanded to include private sector entities.CHANGED FROM: "...supported by letters of reference and/or completion certificates from international organizations (e.g., UNOPS/UN agencies), government entities, or other bilateral/multilateral organizations."TO: "...supported by letters of reference and/or completion certificates from international organizations (e.g., UNOPS/UN agencies), government entities, other bilateral/multilateral organizations, recognized public institutions, or legally registered private sector entities."Project Type Clarification (Section II, Item no. 3):The statement mentioned under PQ Section II - Invitation For Pre- qualification ( Scope, Evaluation Method and Criteria) last page Item no 3 is : CHANGED FROM: "...for successful completion of a water works project."TO: "...for successful completion of a construction works project."All other terms and conditions of the Invitation for Prequalification remain unchanged. With Kind Regards,Anteneh Berhanu
Edited on:
01-Jun-2026 14:50
Edited by:
webservice@unops.org