Operations Procurement Manual (OPM)

The Operations Procurement Manual (OPM) is the African Development Bank's principal procurement rulebook, governing how goods, works, and consulting services are procured on all projects financed by the AfDB Group, including both the ADB window and the adf.

What is the OPM?

The OPM sets out the procurement framework that borrowers must follow when managing afdb-financed projects. It covers the full lifecycle of a procurement transaction: planning, method selection, notice publication, document preparation, evaluation, award, and contract management. The manual defines procurement thresholds that determine when international competitive bidding is required, when national methods are acceptable, and when prior review by the bank applies rather than post review.

For suppliers, the OPM is the foundational document that explains why procurement processes work the way they do on AfDB projects. It defines eligible bidders (linked to rmc and nrmc status by funding window), acceptable contract forms, bid security requirements, and the conditions under which a bid may be rejected as non-responsive. The OPM is periodically revised, and projects state which version of the rules applies in the financing agreement and bidding documents.

Why OPM matters for bidders

Suppliers who read the OPM before preparing a bid understand the rules their evaluation follows and the standards against which their documents will be checked. The most practical sections for bidders are the eligibility rules (which confirm who can bid on which funding window), the evaluation criteria hierarchy, and the standard document templates. When a procuring entity's bidding document deviates from OPM requirements, the bank's prior review process is designed to catch it, but suppliers who spot discrepancies can raise them during the pre-bid clarification period to avoid wasted effort.

FAQ

Where can I find the current OPM?

The AfDB publishes the Operations Procurement Manual on its website under the procurement section. Bidding documents for each project also reference the applicable version and procurement rules.

Does the OPM apply to both ADB-window and ADF-window projects?

Yes. The OPM applies across AfDB Group financing windows, though eligibility rules vary by window as described in the manual itself.

What happens if a procuring entity does not follow the OPM?

Non-compliance can trigger a misprocurement finding by the AfDB, which may result in the bank declining to finance the contract. Serious violations can lead to cancellation of the procurement and a requirement to rebid.