Is Your Business Ready for Government Tenders? A Compliance Checklist for 2025

Government contracts are among the most profitable and stable opportunities for businesses — but not everyone who applies wins. Why? Because many suppliers jump into tendering without meeting basic compliance requirements. Whether you're bidding for tenders in Kenya, the UK, or the United States, there's a checklist every smart business must go through.

This article walks you through the essential requirements you must meet to be eligible, competitive, and successful in the 2025 procurement space.

📋 2025 Tender Readiness Checklist

✅ 1. Register Your Business Properly

You must have a legally registered business entity with the right structure:

Kenya: Sole Proprietor, Partnership, or Limited Company (via eCitizen)
US: Register with your State, get an EIN (via IRS)
UK: Register with Companies House

👉 Guide to registering a business on eCitizen Kenya

✅ 2. Obtain a Tax Compliance Certificate

This is mandatory for nearly all public procurement opportunities:

Kenya: KRA Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
US: IRS documentation and SAM.gov registration
UK: HMRC confirmation and company VAT number (if applicable)

✅ 3. Open a Business Bank Account

All tender payments must go through registered business accounts. Avoid using personal bank accounts, as it raises red flags with procurement officers.

✅ 4. Get a Professional Company Profile

Many tenders require you to attach a company profile. Ensure yours includes:

Core services/products
Past experience or projects
Organisational structure
Contact details
Physical address & branding

👉 How to Write a Winning Company Profile for Tenders

✅ 5. Register on Procurement Portals

You can’t bid if you’re not on the right platforms. These are a must:

Kenya:

eCitizen Supplier Portal
IFMIS eProcurement
tenders.go.ke

UK:

Contracts Finder
Find a Tender Service (FTS)

US:

SAM.gov
Grants.gov (for NGOs and research)

👉 Top Tender Platforms Every Business Owner Should Know

✅ 6. Comply with Sector-Specific Licences

Some tenders require certifications or licences:

Construction: NCA licence (Kenya), EPA (US), CHAS (UK)
ICT: CAK registration (Kenya), FCC compliance (US)
Health: Pharmacy & Poisons Board (Kenya), FDA (US), MHRA (UK)

✅ 7. Join AGPO (Kenya only)

The Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programme allows youth, women, and PWD-owned businesses to access 30% of government contracts. Register early to benefit.

👉 AGPO Registration Guide

✅ 8. Prepare Statutory Documents

You’ll often be required to attach:

CR12
Tax Compliance Certificate
Director IDs
Business Permit
Bank statements
Proof of past work or testimonials

✅ Final Word: Be Prepared, Not Sorry

Many businesses lose tenders simply because they missed a document or didn’t understand the process. Use this compliance checklist as your starting point for 2025. Once you're set up right, applying for local and international contracts becomes much easier — and you’ll start getting shortlisted.

💡 Don’t just apply for tenders. Apply smart.