In short
From 1 November 2026 ADNOC assesses bids in a single evaluation weighted 70% on commercial terms and 30% on In-Country Value, as reported by The National. A valid ICV certificate with a strong score now carries close to a third of the evaluation, so suppliers should check certificate validity and improve their score before the next tender.
ADNOC is changing how it evaluates bids. According to The National (25 October 2026), from 1 November 2026 bids are assessed using a formula weighted 70% towards commercial terms and 30% towards In-Country Value (ICV), with commercial and ICV assessed together in a single evaluation. ADNOC is also revising its ICV procurement framework. This article explains what that means for suppliers and contractors.
What changes
- One evaluation: commercial terms and ICV are scored together, so a stronger ICV score can make up ground on the commercial side.
- A fixed weight: ICV carries 30% of the evaluation, which makes every point of score measurably valuable.
- Framework revision: The National also reported that smaller contracts will see lighter ICV obligations. Check each tender’s documents for the rules that apply to it.
Why it matters beyond ADNOC
In April 2026 the UAE Cabinet made ICV mandatory for federal entities and for companies in which the government holds a stake of 25% or more. ICV is no longer only an incentive; for a growing share of public and national company procurement it is part of the award decision.
What suppliers should do now
- Check your certificate dates. An ICV certificate is valid for 14 months from the issue date of the audited financial statements it is based on. See the 14 month rule explained.
- Collect supplier certificates. Spend with uncertified mainland suppliers counts at only 10%, and uncertified free zone or foreign suppliers at zero. Asking your main suppliers for their certificates is usually the fastest gain.
- Capture every Emirati employee. Salaries, WPS benefits and external training of UAE nationals all count, and benefits paid outside WPS are capped at 10% of salaries under the SEP 2025 template.
- Use the sustainability bonus. Service providers can add up to 3%: 0.5% for each of four implemented policies and 1% for ISO 14001, 14046 or 50001.
- Prepare stand-alone audited statements. For financial years ending after 31 December 2024 the certified entity’s own audited statements are required.
- Estimate before you submit. Our ICV calculator uses the current template, and a free assessment shows where the points are.
Bidding without a certificate
A certificate is not a legal requirement to bid with ADNOC, but bidders without a valid certificate are generally scored at zero for ICV. With ICV at 30% of the evaluation, that is a large handicap against a certified competitor.
Frequently asked questions
When does ADNOC’s 70/30 evaluation start?
From 1 November 2026, according to The National’s report of 25 October 2026.
Is the formula the same for every tender?
Apply the rules in each tender’s documents. The reported 70/30 weighting describes ADNOC’s new single evaluation approach.
Who issues the ICV certificate?
One of the 25 certifying bodies authorised by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, through the national ICV platform. ZS prepares the submission and works with the certifying body you appoint; see our ICV certification service.
Sources: The National, 25 October 2026 and 26 April 2026; MoIAT National ICV Certification Guidelines (SEP 2025). Reviewed by the ZS ICV team, October 2026.
Need help with this? ZS is an FTA approved tax agency in Abu Dhabi. See our icv certification service or book a free one hour consultation.
