How to Start Bidding for Government Tenders in Malaysia
To sell supplies or services to the federal government you need an ePerolehan account: a free Basic Account for purchases up to RM20,000, or an MOF Account (RM450 for three years) for anything larger. Works contracts need CIDB registration instead. Here is how registration, field codes and the three procurement methods fit together.
Government procurement is one of the few markets where a small or new supplier can answer the same notice as an established one, provided the paperwork is in place. For supplies and services bought by the Federal Government, that paperwork is an account on ePerolehan, the government's electronic procurement system: a free Basic Account for purchases up to RM20,000, or an MOF Account (RM450, valid for three years) for anything larger. Works contracts (construction, renovation, repairs) go through a separate route, CIDB. Registration alone does not win anything; it makes you eligible to bid on notices that match your registration.
Step 1: Choose the right account
Swipe sideways to see every column.
Basic Account |
MOF Account |
|
|---|---|---|
What it covers |
Federal supplies and services (not consultancy) up to RM20,000 |
Federal supplies and services up to and above RM20,000. Contractors may also transact with others: state governments, statutory bodies, government-linked companies and local authorities |
Who can apply |
Malaysian citizens with a MyKad |
Contractors (supplies and services) or consultants |
Fee |
None |
RM450 for a new registration |
Validity |
Not stated |
3 years |
Applications are made online through ePerolehan; there is no paper form. If you only plan to sell small-value items to a nearby federal office, the Basic Account is enough to start. To see and bid on quotations and tenders above RM20,000, you need the MOF Account.
Step 2: Pick field codes that match what you actually do
An MOF registration lists your field codes (kod bidang): the categories of goods and services you are registered to supply. You can register up to 30 field codes. Notices are restricted by field code, so a cleaning company registered only under an IT code will not be eligible for a cleaning quotation.
Practical rules:
- Choose codes that match your SSM-registered business activity and that you can support with documents and experience.
- A few accurate codes are better than many loose ones. Each code you claim may have to be proved to an evaluator.
- Some notices are also restricted by location (for example, suppliers based in that state) and Bumiputera status. ePerolehan lets suppliers check these eligibility criteria before registering for a briefing or site visit.
Step 3: Works contracts go through CIDB, not MOF
If the job is construction, renovation, repair or M&E work, the requirement is different. Contractors need to be registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), hold a Contractor Registration Certificate (PPK) with the right grade, category and specialisation, and a Government Works Procurement Certificate (SPKK). In Sabah and Sarawak, registration with PUKONSA and UPKJ respectively is the equivalent. Your grade limits the size of work you can take on, so check it against the job value.
Step 4: Understand the three ways government buys
ePerolehan's supplier-selection module describes three procedures for supplies and services:
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Method |
Value |
How it works |
|---|---|---|
Direct purchase |
Up to RM20,000 |
Through catalogues and price offers |
Quotation |
Above RM20,000 up to RM500,000 |
Registered suppliers submit quotations |
Tender |
Above RM500,000 |
Formal tender with committee evaluation |
The value limits are set by Treasury circulars and can change, and some agencies use their own rules, so always follow the notice. Budget 2027 proposes raising the limits for maintenance, repair and improvement works on government facilities to RM200,000 by direct appointment and RM3 million by quotation, and increasing procurement for Bumiputera G1 to G4 contractors from RM4 billion to RM7.5 billion. Our Budget 2027 guide covers the rest of the package.
Step 5: Find notices and read them carefully
Federal quotation and tender advertisements, awards and direct-negotiation notices are published on MyProcurement, the Ministry of Finance's government procurement information portal. Submissions are made through ePerolehan. When a notice looks relevant, check these first:
- Closing date and time. Late submissions are not accepted.
- Required field codes, grade and location. If you do not match, you cannot bid.
- Briefing or site visit. Some notices require attendance; register for it online.
- Documents. Proposals and supporting documents are submitted online. If samples are required, they are delivered by hand with system-generated labels.
- Evaluation method. Some agencies use a single evaluation committee; others evaluate in two tiers, technical first and financial second. In a two-tier evaluation, a weak technical proposal can rule you out before price is considered.
Step 6: Plan cash flow before you win
Many small suppliers win a government job and then struggle to fund it until payment arrives. The CAKNA scheme exists for this: CAKNA I lets MSMEs get early payment on completed government contracts by selling approved invoices to a bank, and CAKNA II is a financing scheme for MSME contractors and suppliers that have obtained government projects, particularly small contractors (G1 to G4). Budget 2027 extends the RM10 stamp duty on CAKNA financing agreements to 31 December 2030. Ask your bank whether it offers CAKNA before you bid.
Common mistakes first-time bidders make
- Registering under codes you cannot support. You spend your three-year registration on notices you are unlikely to win.
- Treating the closing date as a target. Upload problems on the last day are your risk, not the agency's.
- Skipping a required briefing. If attendance is compulsory, missing it usually means you cannot bid.
- Pricing without reading the specification. A low price does not help if the offer does not meet the specification.
- Letting the MOF registration lapse. Put the renewal date in your calendar three months ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an Sdn Bhd to register?
The Basic Account is for Malaysian citizens with a MyKad. For the MOF Account, check the current eligibility on ePerolehan for your type of business. Many notices also ask for financial statements and track record, which are usually easier with a company. Our guide to registering a company compares business structures.
Can I pay an agent to register for me?
Applications are made online by the business itself. Be cautious of anyone who promises guaranteed registration or a guaranteed tender.
Does registration mean I will be invited to quote?
No. Registration makes you eligible for notices that match your field codes, location and status. You still have to find the notice, meet its conditions and submit a competitive offer.
See today's tenders. SME Academy's TenderRadar lists government notices from MyProcurement, updated daily, free and with no login. Always check the official notice for the full conditions and closing date.
Sources: ePerolehan, new supplier registration (account types, fees, validity, MOF contractor coverage of state governments, statutory bodies, government-linked companies and local authorities); ePerolehan core modules (supplier selection methods and thresholds, online submission, evaluation tiers); MOTAC procurement FAQ (field code limit, CIDB, PPK and SPKK, PUKONSA and UPKJ); MyProcurement; Bank Negara Malaysia, Skim CAKNA (CAKNA I invoice financing and CAKNA II for small contractors); Ministry of Finance, Summary of Budget 2027 Measures and Budget 2027 tax measures (procurement thresholds, CAKNA). Procurement rules are set by Treasury circulars and change; this guide is general information, not legal advice.
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