Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), Mexico’s state-owned oil company, follows a procurement process governed by specific laws and regulations due to its nature as a public entity. These processes must adhere to the principles of transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, in accordance with Mexico’s public procurement framework.
Depending on the nature, urgency, and value of the purchase, PEMEX may use the following contracting methods:
Public Tender: This is the standard procurement procedure, in which a public invitation is issued for any interested party to submit proposals.
Proposals are evaluated under fair and equitable conditions, based on technical, economic, and quality criteria, allowing broad supplier participation.
This procedure ensures transparency, maximum competition, and the best possible conditions for the State Productive Enterprise.
(Reference: Article 11, section I of the General Contracting Provisions).
Restricted Invitation:
This procedure involves inviting a limited number of pre-qualified suppliers when a public tender is not deemed suitable or feasible due to market conditions or the specific nature of the requirement.
It aims to balance process efficiency with the need to obtain competitive conditions.
(Reference: Article 11, section II of the General Contracting Provisions).
Direct Award:
This procedure is used without a competitive bidding process, when specific conditions established in the applicable regulations are met.
In accordance with Articles 11, 29, 30, and 31 of the General Contracting Provisions, direct awards may apply in the following scenarios:
- Emergency situations, force majeure, or unforeseen events that threaten safety, the environment, or operational continuity.
- Procurement of highly specialized goods or services not widely available in the market.
- Existence of a sole supplier or exclusive rights, duly documented through official certification.
- Low-value contracts within the thresholds established by internal regulations, provided there is no improper contract splitting.
- Cases justified on technical, operational, or strategic grounds, as validated by the relevant internal authorities.
In all cases, a direct award requires formal justification, validation by the Procurement and Supply area, and strict compliance with the principles of efficiency, transparency, and administrative accountability.