The Government's move that sets off alarms over early elections

Interior launches a tender of 10.7 million euros for electoral material despite the absence of elections until 2027. The Ministry of the Interior has called for the tender for the supply of electoral envelopes, manuals for polling station members, and other printed materials related to electoral processes.

According to the Official State Gazette (BOE). This contract, valued at 10,735,099.93 euros, establishes a framework agreement with a duration of four years and foresees the participation of up to four economic operators.

The measure has caused surprise. This is because no general or municipal elections are expected until 2027, leaving a margin of more than two years before the next major electoral cycle.

The contract is structured into two main lots: one for the supply of electoral envelopes and another for the production of manuals and documents necessary for the organization of the elections. According to the published specifications, the deadline for submitting bids will conclude on February 14, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. The proposals must be submitted electronically, and the process includes digital invoicing and payments.

The General Directorate of Internal Policy, based in Madrid, will be responsible for managing this contract. The same that seeks to ensure the preparation of future electoral processes in advance.

The Ministry of the Interior has detailed the award criteria for the recent tender of electoral material, valued at more than 10.7 million euros. According to the published specifications, the offered price will have a determining weight of 85%, while the use of recycled paper in the manufacturing of the materials will be considered with 15%.

Interested companies must meet strict economic and technical requirements. For the lot corresponding to the electoral envelopes, a minimum annual turnover of 6.9 million euros and previous experience in similar works are required. This, with a proven value of at least 1,616,501.51 euros in the last three years.

Meanwhile, the lot of manuals and printed materials requires a minimum turnover of 1.1 million euros and projects carried out with a minimum value of 262,140.98 euros.

The agreement, which will have a validity of four years, includes specific conditions for the contractors. Among these, such as the predominant use of cardboard packaging in the delivered products, in compliance with the established environmental criteria. They must also respect data protection regulations and the provisions of the Public Sector Contracts Law.

The process of opening bids will be carried out in two phases. The first, focused on administrative documentation, will take place on February 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The second, for the evaluation of economic proposals, will be held on March 11, 2025, at the same time.

Both sessions will be held at the headquarters of the General Directorate of Internal Policy, in Madrid. Although the opening of economic proposals will be private.