Ministry of Justice Launches National Tender for Duplicating Paper Supply

The Ministry of Justice in Burundi launched a national tender on September 24, 2026, for the supply of duplicating paper to 451 Residence Courts across the nation. This significant procurement initiative aims to ensure that judicial operations at the local level are adequately supported with essential office supplies. The tender, officially identified as National Open Tender Notice No. DNCMP/180/ F / 2026-2027, specifies multiple delivery locations throughout the country, indicating a full approach to distribution. The publication date of this key tender notice was September 24, 2026, marking the official commencement of the bidding process.

The tender is structured into five distinct lots, each with designated delivery points. Lot 1 deliveries are specifically designated for the Court of Appeal of Gitega, a key judicial institution. Lot 2 is allocated for the central administration of the Ministry of Justice, ensuring the main administrative body is well-supplied. For the southern region, Lot 3 deliveries are directed to the Court of Appeal Buhumuza. Further judicial reach is covered by Lot 4, which targets the Court of Appeal Burunga, and Lot 5, which specifies delivery to the Court of Appeal Butanyerera. This division into lots allows for specialized delivery logistics and potentially encourages participation from a broader range of suppliers capable of serving specific regions or institutions.

Interested parties must submit their offers by 10:00 local time on October 14, 2026. This deadline is critical for all prospective bidders to ensure their proposals are considered. The public opening of these offers is scheduled for the same day, October 14, 2026, at 10:30 local time, just 30 minutes after the submission deadline. This transparent process allows all participants and observers to witness the initial stage of evaluation.

Tender Details and Requirements

The Dossier d’Appel d’Offres, which serves as the full tender document, is readily available for interested parties to obtain. Access to this essential document requires a non-refundable sum of 100,000 FBU. This fee ensures that only serious and committed bidders acquire the detailed specifications and requirements for the tender. Submitting entities must ensure their offers remain valid for a substantial period of 90 calendar days, calculated from the stipulated deadline for submission. This extended validity period provides the Ministry of Justice with ample time to thoroughly evaluate all proposals and make an informed decision without pressure.

Specific bid guarantees are a mandatory requirement for each of the five distinct lots, showing the financial commitment expected from bidders. For Lot 1, a bid guarantee of 1,200,000 FBU is necessitated. Moving to Lot 2, the required guarantee stands at 1,100,000 BIF, reflecting the scope of that particular segment. Lot 3 requires a bid guarantee of 624,000 BIF, a precise amount tailored to its specific needs. Lot 4 has its bid guarantee set at 950,000 BIF, while Lot 5, similar in scale to Lot 1, requires a bid guarantee of 1,200,000 BIF. These guarantees serve to ensure the seriousness of the bids and protect the Ministry of Justice against potential non-performance.

Financial capacity requirements have also been meticulously detailed for each lot, ensuring that only financially capable suppliers are considered. Bidders for Lot 1 must demonstrate a strong financial capacity of 24,000,000 BIF. Lot 2 requires a significant financial capacity of 22,000,000 BIF, indicative of the volume and value of supplies for the central administration. For Lot 3, the requirement is set at 12,000,000 BIF, while for Lot 4, it is 19,000,000 BIF. Lot 5, consistent with the demands of Lot 1, specifies an identical financial capacity of 24,000,000 BIF. These thresholds are designed to pre-qualify bidders who possess the necessary financial stability to fulfill the contract obligations.

The tender explicitly states that variations will not be taken into account in the submitted offers, emphasizing the need for bidders to adhere strictly to the specified requirements. This rule promotes fairness and simplifies the evaluation process. Each offer must be presented with one original document and three copies to meet the submission criteria, ensuring that multiple sets are available for review by the tender committee. This detailed submission protocol is key for the efficient processing and evaluation of all bids. The offer currency for all submissions is exclusively the Burundian Franc (FBU), standardizing the financial aspect of the tender.

Procurement Framework

The tender process for the duplicating paper supply will be executed through a National Open Tender, in strict accordance with Article 62 of Burundi's Public Procurement Code. This specific framework guides the methodology for soliciting bids and evaluating submissions for public contracts, ensuring a fair and competitive environment. The entire tender is governed by Law N°1/04 of January 29, 2018. This legislation specifically modifies an earlier legal instrument, Law N°1/01 of February 4, 2008, which established the initial Public Procurement Code of Burundi. The updated law outlines the full regulations and procedures that all public procurement activities must follow within the country, providing a strong legal foundation for the process. Offers submitted by interested parties are scheduled to be opened on October 14, 2026, marking a critical step in the selection process.

Financial and Logistical Aspects

The market for the duplicating paper supply will be financed through the State General Budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, indicating a direct allocation of public funds for this essential service. The tender is meticulously structured into five distinct lots, as previously outlined, to streamline procurement and delivery. All offers are required to be submitted exclusively in Burundian Francs (FBU), ensuring uniformity in financial proposals.

Successful bidders will be required to deliver the supplies within 60 days following the definitive market notification. This timeframe is designed to ensure a prompt and efficient supply chain to the various judicial entities. A performance guarantee, equivalent to 10% of the total market amount, must be furnished by the successful bidder within 10 days of this definitive market notification. This guarantee serves as a safeguard for the Ministry of Justice, ensuring the contractor's commitment to fulfilling the terms of the agreement. The quantities of supplies specified in the tender are subject to adjustment; they can be increased or decreased by up to 20% of the total supply mass at the time of market award. This flexibility allows the Ministry of Justice to adapt to actual needs or budgetary changes without having to initiate an entirely new tender process.