# Mandatory Declarations Reference

Every Israeli public tender requires a standardized block of declarations (תצהירים). This reference lists the declarations that appear in nearly every tender, the legal basis, and what to watch for.

## Core declarations (every tender)

### 1. Proper bookkeeping certificate - אישור ניהול ספרים

- **Legal basis:** Chok Asakot Gufim Tziburiim (Public Bodies Transactions Law)
- **Issued by:** Israel Tax Authority
- **Proves:** The bidder is registered with the tax authority, files returns properly, and has no outstanding issues
- **Validity window:** Usually 12 months from issuance. Check the tender's specific requirement.
- **Where to obtain:** Through the tax authority's online services or via an accountant

### 2. Fair employment declaration - תצהיר לפי חוק עסקאות גופים ציבוריים

- **Legal basis:** Chok Asakot Gufim Tziburiim
- **Content:** Declares that the bidder (and related parties) has not been convicted of violations of the Minimum Wage Law or the Foreign Workers Law within the lookback period the law defines
- **Signatories:** An authorized officer of the bidding entity, plus verification by a lawyer
- **Template:** Must match the template in the tender document exactly

### 2a. Adequate representation of people with disabilities - תצהיר לפי סעיף 2ב1

- **Legal basis:** Chok Asakot Gufim Tziburiim, section 2ב1
- **When required:** Requested in every public-body contract
- **Content:** Depends on the bidder's headcount; fill in the Finance Ministry template accordingly
- **Template:** Must match the template in the tender document exactly

### 2b. No bid coordination - תצהיר היעדר תיאום מכרז

- **Legal basis:** Tender document; agreeing bid prices with a competitor is a restrictive arrangement under חוק התחרות הכלכלית, and being party to an unapproved one is a criminal offence
- **Content:** The bidder priced independently and did not coordinate with any other bidder

### 3. Workers' rights declaration - תצהיר שמירת זכויות עובדים

- **Legal basis:** Takana 6(a)(4) of Takanot Chovat HaMichrazim
- **When required:** For labor intensive contracts (for example cleaning, security, catering, manpower services)
- **Content:** The bidder and related parties declare compliance with the bidder's obligations regarding workers' rights
- **Related parties:** The declaration extends to בעלי זיקה, meaning controlling shareholders and related companies

### 4. Conflict of interest declaration - תצהיר העדר ניגוד עניינים

- **Legal basis:** Tender document (derived from administrative law principles)
- **Content:** The bidder has no conflict of interest that would impair its ability to perform the contract
- **Usual scope:** Relationships with committee members, prior work with the issuing body, other pending engagements that overlap

### 5. No prior convictions declaration - תצהיר היעדר הרשעות

- **Legal basis:** Tender document
- **Content:** The bidder, its officers, and its controlling shareholders have not been convicted of offenses that disqualify them from public contracting
- **Scope:** Usually includes bribery, fraud, tax evasion, and sometimes competition law violations

### 6. Corporate signing authority - אישור עורך דין או רו"ח על זכויות חתימה

- **Content:** A lawyer or accountant certifies that the signatories on the tender documents have authority to bind the bidding entity
- **Required attachments:** Often includes a copy of the articles of association, board resolution, and ID of each signatory

## Optional declarations (tender specific)

Depending on the tender, additional declarations may be required:

| Declaration | Typical context |
|-------------|-----------------|
| Confidentiality undertaking | IT, consulting, or anything touching sensitive data |
| Data protection compliance | Handling personal data subject to Israel's Privacy Protection Law |
| Israeli preference declaration | Under the Buy Israeli regulations, for goods and services that qualify |
| Subcontractor disclosure | If the tender permits subcontracting, the bidder may need to identify all subcontractors |
| Insurance commitment | An undertaking that the bidder will arrange required insurance if awarded |

## Common mistakes

1. **Using stale templates.** A declaration template from last year's tender is not valid for this year's tender. Use only the templates supplied with the current tender.
2. **Wrong signatory.** Declarations require specific signatories. A CFO cannot sign a declaration that requires a CEO signature, even if the CFO is authorized to bind the company.
3. **Missing lawyer verification.** Many declarations require אישור עורך דין. Without it, the declaration is incomplete even if the signature is genuine.
4. **Wrong affidavit date.** The affidavit must be sworn and dated on or before the submission deadline, never after it, and within any validity window the tender sets.
5. **Translating declarations to English.** The declaration must remain in Hebrew as provided in the tender. Do not translate.

## Checklist template

For each declaration, confirm:

- [ ] Template copied verbatim from the tender document
- [ ] All required fields filled in accurately
- [ ] Every signatory listed has signed
- [ ] Lawyer or accountant verification attached where required
- [ ] Date within the validity window the tender specifies
- [ ] Original (not copy) provided where the tender requires originals