New rules for foreign participation in bids postponed

The deadline for the entry into force of the new rules for the participation of foreign companies in national public tenders has been changed. The end of the requirement of CNPJ or CPF (Normative Instruction No. 10/2020), with indication of legal representation in Brazil only for the execution of the contract, will become effective as of August 1. The new term was established in IN No. 38/2020.

Since the publication of the new rules in February, the Ministry of Economy, in partnership with Serpro, an IT public company, has been making changes to the Unified Supplier Registration System (Sicaf) to adapt to the new rules. However, the process has not yet been completed due to the pandemic.

With changes in Sicaf, in addition to the end of the need for CNPJ, foreign companies will be able to count on the facilities that national suppliers already have: 100% digital environment and information valid for one year, without the need to re-submit documents at each bidding process.