Public procurement for individual entrepreneurs and small businesses: where to start and what benefits exist

An IE is a full-fledged supplier

The Law expressly names the individual entrepreneur (IE, ИП) as a potential supplier on an equal footing with legal entities. An IE works with an individual's EDS and, when logging in to zakup.gov.kz, selects the user type “IE” (ИП). For the step-by-step path, see the guide how to participate in public procurement.

Small lots do not require financial stability

The financial stability requirement applies only if the lot amount exceeds the threshold (Rules, para. 53):

For small businesses bidding for works, the financial stability conditions are further simplified. The exception is design and expert review: there, the requirement applies regardless of the amount.

Discounts in open tenders

• A 2% conditional discount goes to a local supplier in an open tender for works and services if the procurement amount does not exceed the threshold in Annex 8 to the Rules. The Rules explicitly call this a measure to support small and medium-sized businesses.
• A 3% conditional discount goes to a supplier from the register of domestic producers if the first 6 digits of the product code match the code in the register extract.

A conditional discount does not reduce the contract amount — it is used only to compare bids. In other words, you can win even if your price is slightly higher, and you are paid your own price.

Benefits for domestic producers

If you manufacture the goods yourself, inclusion in the register of domestic producers (реестр казахстанских товаропроизводителей) gives you notable advantages:

• no need to provide performance security or advance security;
• payment for goods within 10 business days instead of 30 calendar days;
• a minimum delivery period of 60 calendar days instead of 15;
• access to procurement of goods exempted from the national regime, which is closed to everyone else.

Where a small business should start

1. Start with requests for price quotations in your field: short deadlines, clear requirements, and price is what decides.
2. Choose 2–3 topics and your region and subscribe to new lots — an RFQ announcement may be posted just two business days before the submission deadline.
3. Before bidding, look at the customer's past procurement results and how it pays: on MyTender, the customer page shows what share of acceptance certificates it pays on time.
4. Keep a reserve for security: 3% for the bid and 5% for performance security on RFQ contracts.