For clients

These can be design assignments (architecture, master planning, landscape design, etc.), but also other public assignments, for example for project direction or design research in the context of feasibility studies. The fee for these assignments must be below the threshold amount for federal contracting authorities (for 2024–25, €143,000 excl. VAT).

The CIP consists of two consecutive procedures: a market survey followed by a negotiated procedure without prior publication. 

The negotiated procedure without prior publication is an award procedure with a limited degree of competition, the client itself inviting a minimum of three participants to submit bids.

Within the CIP, we start with a market survey that we communicate broadly to our network. This market survey is crucial in a negotiated procedure without prior publication. Indeed, to receive quality offers, you must first get a picture of who is interested and available to submit an offer. 

After we have chosen between 3 and 5 designers, the negotiated procedure without prior publication starts. Here, we focus on the dialogue between the client and the designer. A joint briefing of the candidates with a visit to the project site and a presentation of the tender with questions enable the client and the designer to enter into a dialogue with each other prior to the actual award. This preliminary dialogue is very important to achieve a high-quality final result. The bids are then explained to the jury and a preferred tenderer is appointed. After the negotiation phase and formal appointment, the assignment is closed.

Once you have registered your project with the Team of the Flemish Government Architect , the Team will contact you for an intake interview. During this and subsequent meetings, we will offer you support in determining the ambitions and course of the project. We will then set out both substantive aspects, such as the award criteria and the programme of requirements, and practical aspects, such as a fair tender fee, the fee and the timing, in a clear project definition and award guidelines.  

We will then communicate the assignment via our communication channels. This marks the start of the market consultation. After this, we assist you in selecting the designers who will prepare a quotation and we organise the briefing and site visit together. A few weeks later, the designers will present their quotations and we will help you select and award the contract to a suitable designer. Even after the contract has been awarded, you can still call on our advice to ensure that your project runs successfully.  

CIP projects are announced via the communication channels of the Flemish Government Architect (website, newsletter and social media). As the client, you are subsequently responsible for publishing the assignment on the e-procurement platform.

Niets! De dienstverlening van het Team Vlaams Bouwmeester, en daarbij ook de OAG, is kosteloos voor opdrachtgevers. De enige kosten die verbonden zijn aan de OAG zijn de (wettelijk verplichte) biedvergoedingen voor de ontwerpers die een offerte indienen.

In recent years, the Team Flemish Government Architect was increasingly asked by public clients to provide lists of good designers with a view to conducting a negotiated procedure without prior publication. 

For the Team Flemish Government Architect, these are relevant questions: supporting public clients is among the core tasks of the Government Architect, and these questions enable the Team Flemish Government Architect to weigh in on the quality of these smaller projects as well.  

To optimize its services as an adviser, the Team Flemish Government Architect – following the example of the Team Urban Policy (in the context of the concept subsidy for urban renewal) and the Brussels Bouwmeester Maître Architecte – developed the Call for Interested Parties.

Some advantages over the previous working method:

• Clients get a list of designers who want to submit a bid and have the time to do so.
• We can assist clients in suggesting candidates and making a quality choice.
• Clients reach a wider network of quality designers.
• Young and promising design teams get the chance to compete for public assignments.