GPA (Government Procurement Agreement): where does a non-EU firm stand?

The WTO GPA agreement gives equal access to signatory markets. Turkey/other non-GPA status, GPA-covered tenders, and what it means in practice.

The Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) is a WTO plurilateral treaty (updated 2014). 22 member parties (48 countries — EU counts as one) give each other's firms domestic-market-level tender access.

Non-signatory status

Turkey is **not a party** to GPA — observer status only.
EU market entry runs via non-discrimination + EU-Turkey Customs Union, not GPA.
Practical effect: TR firms can bid on EU tenders but 'GPA-covered' tenders can prioritise GPA signatory firms (optional).

Why it matters

TED notices flag 'GPA covered: yes/no'. If yes, the buyer may exclude non-signatory firms — rarely used but possible, especially in defence/rail/telecom.

Three practical takeaways

See 'GPA covered: yes' → higher risk. Legal appeal weak if excluded.
Buyer is an EU institution (Commission, ECB, EIB) → GPA strictly applied.
Municipal/regional tenders → GPA lightly applied, 95% of the market is open.

Long term: Turkey joining GPA would give full parity in EU market access. Not currently on the agenda, but a valuable goal for TR export lobbies.