In the world of public procurement, even a tiny detail such as page pagination and way of binding a bid can have a significant impact on the outcome of a tender. Although it may seem like a routine step, proper page marking and binding can be crucial for the validity of a bid and success in a tender.

To ensure that your bid is accepted, it is important to strictly follow the guidelines related to page numbering and binding of the bid. According to the Regulations on Documentation and Bidding in Public Procurement Procedures, each page of a bid must be numbered, and the bid bound in a manner that prevents anyone to later remove or insert any pages.

Additionally, if the bid is made of multiple parts, each part must begin with a serial number that continues from the previous section, thus ensuring continuity and integrity of the document. Documents originally numbered, such as catalogues or samples, do not need to be additionally numbered. However, any changes or corrections to the bid must be clearly marked, with the correction date and the bidder's signature provided to ensure transparency and authenticity of the document.

Bid security documents, such as bank guarantees or other financial instruments, play a vital role in public procurement. Considering their importance, and the potential impact that adding anything on the original guarantee or financial instrument might have on their validity, in the case the bid is submitted in hard copy, such documents should be included in the bid, but not bound. However, an alternative practice involves placing these documents for instance in a plastic filing sleeve to avoid tampering with the original document, with the page number clearly marked on the plastic sleeve to maintain its integrity and validity and ensure clear identification.

Once all bid pages are numbered and arranged, the bid is bound to form a whole using a tricolour combined string cord (similar to the one used by notaries public, official translators, etc.) which is then tied  into a knot at the back of the bid. Finally, a seal sticker is fixed over the bid and the string cord, after which the bid is ready for submission.

In conclusion, just as it is important to include all necessary documents in the bid, it is also necessary to pay attention to properly number and connect them, because having only one document not properly numbered, but included in the bid, constitutes a reason to dismiss the bid.