The verdict in three sentences
A successful public tender rests on a precise tender pack (specification dossier) and a weighted scoring grid that rewards technical value without ignoring price. In 2026, a local authority must enforce accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) and include operational maintenance over 3 years from the initial contract. For a mid-sized local authority web platform, plan a budget of EUR 40,000 to 120,000 excl. VAT and a 4-to-6-month timeline.
Building a compliant, attractive tender pack
The tender pack binds the authority and frames the bids. A gap-ridden pack produces non-comparable offers and legal challenges. Here are the expected documents and their role.
| Tender document | Role | 2026 watch point |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation rules | Rules, criteria, deadlines | Explicit weighting |
| Technical spec (CCTP) | Technical specifications | Detailed accessibility reqs |
| Administrative clauses | Legal clauses | Penalties, code ownership |
| Price breakdown | Cost decomposition | Isolated maintenance lot |
| Technical response frame | Imposed template | Eases scoring |
| Annexes | Sitemap, volumes | Brand, existing content |
The 2026 formal-procedure threshold for local authority supplies and services sits around EUR 221,000 excl. VAT; below it, an adapted procedure is sufficient, which covers the vast majority of websites. The adapted procedure offers flexibility but requires transparency and equal treatment.
Scoring, accessibility and maintenance, quantified
Weighting decides who wins. An authority wanting quality must favour technical value while keeping price a significant criterion.
| Criterion | Weight | Scored sub-criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Technical value | 60 % | Method, accessibility, UX, timeline |
| Price | 40 % | Total 3-year cost (project + maintenance) |
The technical criterion often breaks down as: methodology and timeline (20 points), accessibility and eco-design (15 points), UX and mockups (15 points), team and references (10 points). Price is scored on a formula inversely proportional to the lowest bid.
Accessibility is non-negotiable: WCAG 2.1 AA is mandatory for the public sector, with a compliance statement and audit expected at delivery. Non-compliance exposes the authority to penalties reaching EUR 50,000 and damages its image.
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| Budget line | 2026 estimate (EUR excl. VAT) | Share of contract |
|---|---|---|
| Design and UX/UI | 12,000 - 30,000 | ~25 % |
| Development / CMS | 18,000 - 55,000 | ~45 % |
| Accessibility / audit | 4,000 - 10,000 | ~8 % |
| Content migration | 3,000 - 12,000 | ~7 % |
| 3-year maintenance | 9,000 - 30,000 | ~15 % |
Mini case study
Ms Fontaine, CIO of a 60,000-resident town near Marseille, launches an adapted procedure to rebuild the citizen portal. Estimated budget: EUR 85,000 excl. VAT including EUR 21,000 of 3-year maintenance. Four agencies respond. The lowest bidder offers EUR 62,000 but scores 11/20 on technical (vague accessibility). The authority applies its 60/40 weighting: the EUR 79,000 offer scoring 17/20 on technical wins with an overall score of 86/100 versus 74. The EUR 17,000 premium is justified by an included accessibility audit and firm maintenance that avoids amendments estimated at EUR 8,000/year.
FAQ
Is a formal procedure required for a local authority website? Rarely: most projects stay below the EUR 221,000 excl. VAT threshold and fall under an adapted procedure. Above it, the open formal procedure applies with longer deadlines.
What technical/price weighting should I choose? For a public site, 60 % technical / 40 % price is a balanced standard. Lowering price to 30 % is possible if quality and accessibility are priorities justified in the consultation rules.
Is accessibility really mandatory? Yes, without exception for the public sector. Require a compliance statement and an audit at project end; non-compliance risks a EUR 50,000 penalty.
What should 3-year maintenance cover? Defect fixes, CMS security updates, browser compatibility and light support. Plan EUR 9,000 to 30,000 excl. VAT over 3 years depending on complexity; isolate it in the price breakdown to compare.
How long between publication and award? About 6 to 10 weeks under an adapted procedure (response time, analysis, possible negotiation), then 4 to 6 months of delivery until go-live.
Let's scope your project. Send us your technical spec or target sitemap: we respond to your tender with a WCAG-compliant technical note and a 3-year total cost. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
