The ESPD (European Single Procurement Document) became mandatory in 2016 under EU Directive 2014/24. It's an electronic self-declaration where a bidder confirms — before submitting a bid — that it meets exclusion and selection criteria (financial standing, no insolvency, no tax/social-security debt, etc.).
Why ESPD?
Before the directive, each firm assembled 5–15 documents per tender (tax certificate, social security clearance, criminal record, financial statements …). ESPD compresses all of that into a single declaration: 'I can produce these documents on request.' Only the winning bidder submits the originals.
For cross-border firms
- The form is the same regardless of EU membership status.
- Non-official language versions are unsafe — fill in English.
- Section II-A: company registration + VAT + address. TR tax ID goes under 'Turkish Tax ID'.
- Section III-A: declaration of no insolvency / bankruptcy.
- Section III-B: no social-security debt. TR social-security letter is submitted only if you win.
- Section IV: financial capacity, industry experience, certificates (ISO 9001, 14001, etc.).
How to fill it in
- eForms XML generator: espd.eu.europa.eu → 'Economic Operator' → start in English
- The buyer publishes a tender-specific XML request; you continue from there
- Seal with an electronic signature and upload it to the tender platform
- A qualified Turkish e-signature (KEP + e-imza) is accepted under eIDAS 2
Common mistakes
- Filling the form in Turkish → rejected at evaluation
- Filing one form for a consortium → each partner needs a separate ESPD
- Skipping the ESPD for subcontractors → some buyers require it
In BidIndex's 'Guide' section we note country-specific quirks: France requires DC1/DC2 alongside the ESPD; Germany attaches acceptance of VOB-B special clauses.