Advertising takes the form of a notice of public contract (also called public call for tenders). It's an advertisement published by the public buyer to inform companies that they are looking for a supplier.

The notice of public contract summarizes all items concerning the buyer’s need: the nature of the mission, the selection criteria for the successful candidate, the location of the mission, the deadline for submitting the application, the deadlines, etc. It allows a company to assess whether it has the capacity to perform the mission in question.

Contract notices are published in different media depending on the procedure and the type of contract (works, supplies, services).

These are:

• Official Bulletin of Public Procurement Announcements (BOAMP)
• Legal Listing Support (Shal)
• Official Journal of the European UnionCHEEK)

The advertising medium Employee can provide an indication of the amount of the buyer's need. For example, contract notices published in a medium entitled to receive legal announcements (Shal) or in the Official Bulletin of Government Procurement Announcements (BOAMP) concern public contracts for which the amount is included between €90,000 HT and European thresholds.

Works contracts concern works, building works and civil engineering (bridges, roads, ports, dams, urban infrastructure, etc.).

In order to ensure the widest possible competition, the buyer shall publish the contract notice under the conditions laid down by the rules, depending on the subject of the contract, the estimated value of the need and the body concerned.

The supply contract shall consist in the purchase or leasing, rental or hire purchase of equipment, furniture or products (office supplies, paper, furniture, vehicles, etc.).

The procedure depends on value market and market estimatepublic buyer type who awards the contract:

• If the estimated value of the contract is less than formal procedure thresholds (or European thresholds), the purchaser may use an appropriate procedure, the conditions of which he shall be free to determine.
• Beyond that, it must respect a formalized procedure.

The amounts of the supply contracts shall determine the advertising applicable.

The thresholds are different depending on the type of public purchaser: a central authority (President of the Republic, Prime Minister, or Minister and other collaborators), another contracting authority (local authority or public body), or contracting entity.

A service contract concerns a material service (for example, the maintenance of premises or green spaces) or an intangible service (legal advice, accountancy, IT project, etc.).

The procedure depends on value market and function of the type of public buyer who awards the contract:

• If the estimated value of the contract is less than formal procedure thresholds, the purchaser may use an appropriate procedure, the conditions of which he shall determine freely
• Beyond that, it must respect a formalized procedure.

The amounts of the supply contracts shall determine the advertising applicable.

The thresholds are different depending on the type of public purchaser: a central authority (President of the Republic, Prime Minister, or Minister and other collaborators), another contracting authority (local authority or public body), or contracting entity.