Subcontractor

A third-party company that delivers part of the service on behalf of the main bidder.

A subcontractor delivers part of the tendered service for the lead bidder without becoming a contracting party to the authority. The main bidder remains responsible to the authority.

Tender documents often require subcontractors and the share of work assigned to them to be disclosed, sometimes already in the bid. Replacing a subcontractor after award is often only possible with the authority's consent.

Depending on the canton and contract value, subcontractors must also be free of certain exclusion grounds, such as outstanding tax or social security debts. Failing to disclose a subcontractor can create an exclusion risk.