Public Sector Website Tender Guide (2026)

The verdict in three sentences

A public redesign tender is won or lost at the drafting of the consultation dossier: the lot structure, the scoring grid and the accessibility requirement drive the quality and price of the bids received. Two clauses avoid 80 % of disputes: reversibility (recovery of data and code) and a technical criterion weighted at least 60 % against price. For a mid-sized public authority website, budget 40,000 to 150,000 EUR excl. tax depending on scope and number of lots.

Structuring lots and scoring

The lot structure shapes competition: too many lots fragment accountability, too few shut out SMEs. The price/technical weighting decides whether you are buying volume or quality.

The clauses that protect the authority

Three non-negotiable requirements in 2026. Accessibility (RGAA reference framework in France) is a legal obligation, with penalties reaching 50,000 EUR per year per service. Reversibility guarantees you recover data, content and source code at no extra cost at the end of the contract. GDPR compliance mandates a processing register, EU hosting and a subcontracting clause. Require at least a 75 % accessibility conformance rate at delivery and an independent audit.

Mini case study

Sylvie, communications director of a 45,000-inhabitant intercommunal authority, prepares to merge three sites into a single portal. She splits it into three lots, weights technical value at 55 % and mandates 80 % accessibility conformance. She receives five bids from 62,000 to 118,000 EUR excl. tax; the best-value bid at 78,000 EUR excl. tax is not the cheapest. Over three years, with support at 9,000 EUR/yr and hosting at 5,000 EUR/yr, her full cost reaches 120,000 EUR excl. tax. The reversibility clause, overlooked in the previous contract, had cost her 14,000 EUR in migration — a line now covered.

FAQ

What procedure threshold applies to a redesign?

In 2026 in France, a service above 40,000 EUR excl. tax requires publicity and competitive bidding. Above EU thresholds (around 221,000 EUR excl. tax for local authorities), the formal procedure applies.

Is accessibility really mandatory?

Yes. Every public site must be accessible and publish a conformance statement. Non-compliance exposes the authority to an administrative penalty of up to 50,000 EUR per year, renewable. Require an audit at delivery.

How do I avoid vendor lock-in?

Include a reversibility clause: return of data in an open format, documented source code and access credentials, at no extra charge. It is the best protection against technological dependency.

Should hosting be a separate lot?

Often yes, to guarantee data sovereignty and avoid dependency. A dedicated lot lets you require EU hosting, encrypted backups and a disaster-recovery plan.

How long does the procedure take?

Allow 3 to 5 months between publication and award for an adapted procedure, longer for a formal one. Build this delay into your overall redesign schedule.

Let's scope your project. Share your intended lot structure and forecast budget, and we'll help frame the accessibility and reversibility criteria. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.