licitante

Licitante is a person or legal entity that participates in a bidding process to obtain a contract, typically in public procurement but also in private tenders. The licitante submits a bid that may include a price proposal and, when required, a technical proposal accompanied by documents proving qualifications and compliance with the tender’s conditions.

In most procurement systems, a licitante must meet eligibility requirements and provide documentation such as corporate registration, licenses, financial statements or references, and proof of compliance with tax and regulatory obligations. The bidding process establishes deadlines, submission rules, and confidentiality obligations. Bids are evaluated according to predefined criteria, often balancing price and technical merit, and the licitante with a compliant bid meeting the criteria may be declared vencedor (winner).

A licitante has rights such as access to tender documents, the ability to submit clarifications, and the option to challenge or appeal decisions through established remedies. It also bears obligations, including truthful and complete submissions, adherence to deadlines, and compliance with contract terms and applicable laws if awarded the contract.

Notes on scope and terminology vary by jurisdiction, but generally licitante denotes the competitive bidder in a procurement process, distinct from the contracting authority and from the vencedor who ultimately signs and executes the contract. The concept supports transparency, competition, and accountability in procurement.