DC1, DC2, DUME: the documents that get your bid rejected on a technicality
Your technical proposal is excellent. Your price is competitive. But your DC2 has an inconsistency with your DC1: bid rejected on a technicality. Every year, SMEs lose contracts not for lack of competence, but for administrative errors on a form.
What administrative documents are required for a public tender? The mandatory administrative documents for French public procurement include: DC1 (application letter), DC2 (candidate declaration), DUME (European Single Procurement Document, mandatory above EU thresholds), insurance certificates, company registration extract (Kbis) less than 3 months old, tax and social security certificates, and DPGF (Breakdown of Overall Fixed Price). An error or omission leads to bid rejection for inadmissibility.
DC1 — Application Letter
Official application identifying the candidate or group. Information: company ID, consultation object, lots targeted, signature.
Common error: forgetting group type checkbox or missing lead signature.
DC2 — Candidate Declaration
Financial, technical, and professional capabilities declaration. Revenue (3 years), headcount, equipment, similar contract references, certifications.
Common error: outdated references (>5 years) or irrelevant to target contract.
DUME — European Single Procurement Document
Standardized European sworn statement replacing DC1/DC2 above EU thresholds. Reusable across contracts.
Common error: generic DUME without contract-specific adaptations.
DPGF and DQE — Pricing Documents
DPGF: flat-rate price breakdown by item. DQE: estimated quantities for framework contracts.
Common error: calculation errors or subtotal/total inconsistencies.
Commitment Act (AE)
Contractual commitment document with your price offer.
Common error: price inconsistency between AE and DPGF/BPU.
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