subcontractors

A subcontractor is a company that helps the main contractor carry out part of a contract or tender. This is common in both private contracts and public tenders, particularly when a project requires specialist expertise or additional capacity.

How does it work?

When a supplier wins a contract, they may choose to use subcontractors for parts of the work. For example, a construction firm that has won a large building project might use an electrician as a subcontractor for all the electrical work.

In tender procedures, the main contractor is generally required to disclose:

• Which subcontractors will be used
• Which parts of the contract they will perform
• The subcontractors' qualifications

Requirements and responsibilities

The contracting authority can set requirements for subcontractors, for example that they must meet certain qualification criteria. This is particularly important in public procurement. The main contractor nevertheless bears full responsibility for fulfilling the contract, even if parts of the work are performed by subcontractors.

Practical example

An IT company wins a contract to deliver a new computer system for a municipality. The company specialises in software but needs help installing network equipment. They therefore use a network specialist as a subcontractor for this part of the project.

Modern tools like Cobrief make it easier to keep track of where your business needs subcontractors in the tendering process and ensure that all necessary documentation is in place when submitting a bid.

By using subcontractors, businesses can take on larger contracts and offer more complete solutions, while staying focused on their core competencies and ensuring quality at every stage of delivery.