1. Open the current notice and its documents
Start from the official record, not a summary. Confirm which procedure it is, who the contracting authority is, and whether the notice was corrected or extended. The minimum time to bid is set by the procedure: 35 days in an open procedure above the EU threshold, from the day the notice was sent, which can be shortened in cases such as electronic submission (Directive art. 27(1) and (4)), and 30 days to request participation plus 30 to tender in a restricted one (art. 28). If additional information requested in good time is not provided at least six days before the deadline, or the documents change significantly, the authority must extend it (art. 47(3)).
2. Read the scope and the lots
Compare the object with what you deliver, and treat the CPV code as a clue, not proof. If the contract is divided into lots, the notice says whether you can bid for one, several or all, and may cap how many one bidder can win (Directive art. 46; CCP art. 46-A; LCSP art. 99(3) and (4)).
3. Check your capacity against the selection criteria
Selection criteria can cover suitability for the activity, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability, and must be related and proportionate to the contract (Directive art. 58(1); LCSP art. 74(2)). They are a pass or fail on you, separate from how the offer is scored.
4. Read how the offer is scored
Authorities award on the most economically advantageous tender, based on price or cost and possibly a price-quality ratio (Directive art. 67(1)-(2); CCP art. 74; LCSP art. 145). Lowest price does not always win. Map each stated criterion and weighting to evidence you can actually supply.
5. List the exclusion and paperwork risks
Check tax and social security standing, signatory powers, guarantees and the declarations to submit. In an EU-level procedure you can use the ESPD as preliminary evidence (Directive art. 59). See the answer on why bids are excluded on formalities.
6. Test the economics and record the decision
Estimate the cost of delivery, staff, cash flow and guarantees against the value stated. Write down what fits, what does not, what is still unknown and who will check it. Keep the source link and a dated copy of the documents you reviewed.