{"id":74323,"date":"2026-09-03T16:36:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T19:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/?post_type=articles&#038;p=74323"},"modified":"2026-09-03T16:36:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T19:36:05","slug":"procedure-expression-interest-pmi-law-14133-public-projects-works","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/content\/technical-articles\/procedure-expression-interest-pmi-law-14133-public-projects-works\/","title":{"rendered":"PMI under Law 14,133: How the Procedure for Expression of Interest Works in Public Projects and Works"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Procedure for Expression of Interest \u2014 PMI \u2014 provided for in art. 81 of Law 14,133\/2021 is an auxiliary procedure through which the Administration requests from the private sector, by means of an open public call, studies, investigations, surveys and projects for innovative solutions to matters of public relevance. PMI is intended to expand the technical basis for planning when the Administration still needs to study alternatives, structure solutions or better understand a project before deciding whether to conduct a procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PMI is not a procurement method, does not automatically contract whoever prepared the studies and does not grant preference in a future competition. It also does not oblige the public authority to procure. If studies are used and a later procurement occurs, the notice must regulate reimbursement of accepted expenditures, which will be borne by the winner of the future procurement; the Law prohibits charging those amounts to the public authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For public projects and works, the instrument can be valuable when the problem requires comparison among solutions, models, technologies, implementation alternatives or investment arrangements. But it should not be used merely to transfer to the market, without governance, the Administration\u2019s responsibility for defining its need. PMI must begin with a sufficiently delimited public problem and end with products that are technically evaluated, documented and made available on an equal basis to future bidders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is PMI under Law 14,133?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Art. 81 establishes a formal mechanism for interaction between the Administration and the private sector. The Administration publishes a public-call notice and authorizes interested parties to develop studies that may contribute to understanding and structuring a public need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The procedure is part of the set of auxiliary instruments in art. 78, alongside accreditation, prequalification, price registration systems and supplier registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its function precedes contracting. The results of PMI may support:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Preliminary Technical Study;<\/li><li>feasibility studies;<\/li><li>definition of alternatives;<\/li><li>concept designs or engineering elements, as applicable and under the relevant regulations;<\/li><li>economic modeling;<\/li><li>risk analysis;<\/li><li>structuring of a future procurement;<\/li><li>specification of requirements and performance criteria.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no obligation to request all these products. The scope should arise from the question the Administration needs to answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PMI is not procurement and does not guarantee a contract<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This distinction prevents one of the main misunderstandings surrounding the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those who participate in PMI are not competing for the implementation contract. They are producing studies that may or may not be accepted by the Administration and may or may not be used in a future contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Law expressly establishes that participation in PMI:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>does not grant a right of preference in a future procurement;<\/li><li>does not oblige the public authority to conduct a procurement;<\/li><li>does not, by itself, create a right to reimbursement of development costs;<\/li><li>may only be remunerated by the winner of the future procurement, never by the public authority.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means the development risk of the studies does not disappear. From the public call onward, the interested party must know which products may be accepted, which criteria will be used, how any reimbursement amount will be determined and under what conditions reimbursement may occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When PMI makes sense in public projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-a3a-destaque\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PMI should only be opened when there is a real public question to be answered. Before requesting studies from the market, the Administration must structure the need, objectives, constraints and decision criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/planejamento\/estudo-tecnico-preliminar-etp-engenharia\/\">Structure the Preliminary Technical Study<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PMI tends to generate more value when the Administration understands the problem well but is still uncertain about the best solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Possible examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>redevelopment of a large public complex;<\/li><li>deployment of smart urban infrastructure;<\/li><li>complex concessions and partnerships;<\/li><li>large-scale technological modernization;<\/li><li>projects with multiple technical and financial alternatives;<\/li><li>infrastructure with strong interaction among engineering, operations and economic model;<\/li><li>innovative solutions whose market maturity needs to be understood.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In these cases, the market may present different paths. The Administration uses PMI to broaden its technical repertoire before converting an alternative into a contracting requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/planejamento\/estudo-tecnico-preliminar-etp-engenharia\/\">Preliminary Technical Study<\/a> remains essential. PMI may feed it, but it does not eliminate the public authority\u2019s responsibility to justify the need, requirements, alternatives and decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When PMI tends to be inappropriate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The instrument loses its purpose when the Administration already knows the solution, has a sufficient Basic Design and only needs to contract standardized execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is also risky to use it to obtain, free of charge, routine documents that should be contracted as engineering services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some signs of inappropriate use are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>poorly defined problem with no clear public objective;<\/li><li>expectation that the market will \u201cdo the entire design\u201d without evaluation criteria;<\/li><li>lack of a public team capable of analyzing the studies;<\/li><li>public-call scope that is too broad;<\/li><li>absence of a method for comparing alternatives;<\/li><li>expectation of directly selecting the author of the study;<\/li><li>lack of a reimbursement rule;<\/li><li>use of PMI merely to reduce the budgetary cost of preparing studies.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PMI is a <strong>structuring<\/strong> tool, not a shortcut to avoid proper procurement of Consulting Engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The public call must define the problem before requesting solutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-a3a-destaque\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The public call must produce comparable studies. Scope, products, assumptions, formats and evaluation criteria should be defined before interested parties invest in preparing their submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/planejamento\/termo-referencia-obras-servicos-engenharia\/\">Structure the Engineering Terms of Reference<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good structuring begins by distinguishing <strong>problem<\/strong> from <strong>solution<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Administration should describe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>public need;<\/li><li>objectives;<\/li><li>existing context;<\/li><li>available data;<\/li><li>constraints;<\/li><li>interfaces;<\/li><li>issues that need to be resolved;<\/li><li>expected products;<\/li><li>evaluation criteria;<\/li><li>rules for ownership, disclosure and use of studies;<\/li><li>limits and conditions for reimbursement.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the public call is too specific, it may merely reproduce a solution already chosen. If it is too generic, it will receive incomparable studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/planejamento\/termo-referencia-obras-servicos-engenharia\/\">Terms of Reference for Public Works and Engineering Services<\/a> and planning documents must translate the need into technical questions that are sufficiently clear for the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which studies may be requested?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Art. 81 uses broad wording: studies, investigations, surveys and projects for innovative solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the project and applicable regulations, PMI may cover areas such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engineering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>diagnosis of existing conditions;<\/li><li>implementation alternatives;<\/li><li>capacity studies;<\/li><li>concept designs;<\/li><li>technical demand studies;<\/li><li>CAPEX and OPEX estimates;<\/li><li>implementation schedules;<\/li><li>interface analysis;<\/li><li>preliminary risk matrix.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Economic and financial<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>investment projections;<\/li><li>operating costs;<\/li><li>revenues, where applicable;<\/li><li>scenarios;<\/li><li>sensitivity analysis;<\/li><li>financing structure.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal and institutional<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>contracting alternatives;<\/li><li>responsibilities;<\/li><li>institutional matrix;<\/li><li>regulatory constraints.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Environmental and territorial<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>constraints;<\/li><li>licensing;<\/li><li>preliminary impacts;<\/li><li>implementation conditions.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The combination should be proportionate to the problem. There is no need to request a massive package if the public uncertainty is concentrated in a single dimension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PMI needs an evaluation methodology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Receiving studies is not enough. Art. 81, \u00a73 requires the Administration to prepare a <strong>reasoned technical opinion<\/strong> to accept the products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This opinion should demonstrate that the material delivered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>is adequate and sufficient to understand the subject;<\/li><li>uses assumptions compatible with the agency\u2019s actual needs;<\/li><li>adopts a methodology that provides greater economy and advantage among the possible alternatives.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This requires an evaluation matrix prepared before the studies are received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Axis<\/td><td>Evaluation question<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>alignment<\/td><td>does it address the public need?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>assumptions<\/td><td>are the data and assumptions defensible?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>engineering<\/td><td>is the solution technically feasible?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>risks<\/td><td>have the main risks been identified?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>implementation<\/td><td>are the schedule and interfaces realistic?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>economics<\/td><td>are CAPEX\/OPEX consistent?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>operations<\/td><td>is the solution sustainable over its lifecycle?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>comparability<\/td><td>does it allow comparison with alternatives?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>documentation<\/td><td>is there sufficient traceability?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Administration should not simply choose the \u201cmost complete\u201d study. It should demonstrate why particular products, assumptions or sections are technically usable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parts of different studies may be used<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PMI does not need to result in full adoption of a single study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the rules of the public call and the evaluation performed, the Administration may identify useful elements in different products, provided that it maintains traceability of origin, ownership, conditions of use and any reimbursement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This possibility is important because complex solutions rarely have a single author with all the best answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One study may present better engineering, another better operations modeling, and a third may identify relevant risks ignored by the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Administration should preserve its ability to form its own final solution instead of becoming dependent on a single private proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How study reimbursement works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The regime under art. 81 is distinctive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Studies useful to the future procurement must remain available to interested parties, and the winner of the future procurement must reimburse the corresponding expenditures as specified in the notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, the Law makes clear that merely preparing a study does not automatically create a right to reimbursement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, this requires the public call and future procurement to establish:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>which products are eligible for reimbursement;<\/li><li>how amounts will be demonstrated;<\/li><li>reimbursement limits;<\/li><li>acceptance criteria;<\/li><li>treatment of partially used products;<\/li><li>obligation of the future winner;<\/li><li>time and form of payment.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The public authority cannot be turned into the debtor of PMI costs. The statutory model transfers reimbursement to the winner of the future contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can the author of a study participate in the future procurement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-a3a-destaque\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PMI studies may strongly influence the future procurement. Independent review should ensure that private solutions are converted into neutral, traceable requirements accessible to all competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/planejamento\/revisao-tecnica-edital-anexos-licitacoes-engenharia\/\">Technically review the procurement notice and attachments<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PMI does not grant preference to the author, but according to TCU guidance on art. 81, <strong>there is no specific statutory prohibition preventing the author of the project selected in PMI from participating in the future procurement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This possibility requires rigorous governance to preserve equal treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The studies used in the procurement must be made available to interested parties. Requirements, assumptions and essential information cannot remain only with the participant who helped structure them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The absence of preference does not eliminate the natural information asymmetry. Therefore, documentary transparency, adequate deadlines and objective criteria are essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/planejamento\/revisao-tecnica-edital-anexos-licitacoes-engenharia\/\">Technical Review of the Procurement Notice and Attachments<\/a> should verify whether the PMI product was converted into neutral requirements and whether all future bidders have access to the same informational baseline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PMI vs. competitive dialogue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both instruments may involve interaction with the market, but they serve different functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PMI<\/strong> is an auxiliary planning procedure. The Administration receives studies and then decides whether there will be a procurement and what its architecture will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Competitive dialogue<\/strong> is a procurement method. Interaction with preselected bidders occurs within the competitive procedure itself to develop alternatives capable of meeting the need and then receive final proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Aspect<\/td><td>PMI<\/td><td>Competitive dialogue<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>nature<\/td><td>auxiliary procedure<\/td><td>procurement method<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>timing<\/td><td>before any future procurement<\/td><td>it is already the procurement<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>result<\/td><td>studies and structuring<\/td><td>selection of the winning proposal<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>obligation to contract<\/td><td>no<\/td><td>follows the procurement procedure<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>preference to the author<\/td><td>no<\/td><td>participants follow the rules of the method<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The choice depends on the maturity stage. If the Administration needs to study the problem before defining its strategy, PMI may be useful. If it has already decided to procure but cannot independently define the technical means capable of meeting the need in the statutory circumstances, competitive dialogue may be the appropriate instrument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PMI vs. market consultation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An informal market consultation, RFI or market sounding can help obtain preliminary information about technologies, suppliers, lead times and price ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PMI is much more structured. It involves a formal public call and the production of studies with potential use in modeling a future procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is not efficient to turn every commercial question into a PMI. Asking the market whether a certain piece of equipment exists is different from requesting complete studies to structure a complex public solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical example: Smart City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider a municipality that wants to modernize mobility, lighting, security, connectivity and urban management but has not yet defined technological architecture, priorities, integration, implementation model and lifecycle costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A PMI may request studies comparing alternatives, identifying required infrastructure, proposing phases, evaluating platform integration and estimating investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Administration, however, needs to define from the public call:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>which urban problems it intends to solve;<\/li><li>which areas are priorities;<\/li><li>existing data;<\/li><li>legal and budgetary constraints;<\/li><li>planning horizon;<\/li><li>interoperability criteria;<\/li><li>performance metrics;<\/li><li>format of deliverables.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without this, it will receive commercial proposals disguised as public studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical example: large engineering complex<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imagine the redevelopment of an administrative center involving power, data center, security, automation, HVAC and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If significant doubts still exist about architecture alternatives, implementation phases and contracting strategy, PMI can broaden the Administration\u2019s view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The studies could compare, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>centralized vs. distributed infrastructure;<\/li><li>retrofit vs. replacement;<\/li><li>phased implementation;<\/li><li>CAPEX and OPEX;<\/li><li>operational impacts;<\/li><li>continuity risks;<\/li><li>contracting alternatives.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Administration then consolidates the solution it considers most advantageous and produces its own baseline for the potential procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to prevent PMI from becoming a restrictive specification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-a3a-destaque\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The transition from PMI to procurement requires technical equalization of assumptions, consolidation of accepted studies and traceability of decisions. The Administration must preserve competition even after intensive market interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/servicos-transversais\/apoio-tecnico-licitacao-analise-propostas-engenharia\/\">Technical Support for Procurement and Proposal Analysis<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Define functional requirements before brands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The public call should begin from performance, need and constraints, not from a proprietary solution selected in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Require disclosure of assumptions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every study should make clear which data it received, which assumptions it adopted and where uncertainty remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compare alternatives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A single solution presented as inevitable reduces the Administration\u2019s critical capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make accepted studies available<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The future procurement should eliminate undue information advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prepare an independent technical opinion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Acceptance cannot be automatic. The Administration must demonstrate why a given study or section is sufficient and advantageous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Separate study from commercial promotion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Manufacturer catalogs and presentations may be attachments, but they do not replace engineering analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/servicos-transversais\/apoio-tecnico-licitacao-analise-propostas-engenharia\/\">Technical Support for Procurement and Proposal Analysis<\/a> can help preserve traceability between PMI studies and the neutral requirements of the future procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recommended structure of a public-call notice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A robust PMI notice should establish, according to the applicable regulations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>public problem and objectives;<\/li><li>scope of studies;<\/li><li>data provided;<\/li><li>products and formats;<\/li><li>schedule;<\/li><li>requirements for interested parties;<\/li><li>authorization rules;<\/li><li>evaluation criteria;<\/li><li>criteria for partial or full acceptance;<\/li><li>ownership and use rules;<\/li><li>disclosure of studies;<\/li><li>method for determining values;<\/li><li>reimbursement limit;<\/li><li>absence of preference;<\/li><li>absence of obligation to procure;<\/li><li>governance of communications and clarifications.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The quality of the public call determines the comparability of the material received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Checklist for deciding whether PMI is appropriate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before opening the procedure, the Administration should answer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>is there a sufficiently defined problem of public relevance?<\/li><li>is there real uncertainty about the best solution?<\/li><li>does the market have knowledge that can improve the public decision?<\/li><li>will the studies have concrete use in planning?<\/li><li>does the Administration have a team capable of evaluating them?<\/li><li>will there be objective acceptance criteria?<\/li><li>are there clear reimbursement rules?<\/li><li>can the products be made available to future bidders?<\/li><li>is PMI more appropriate than directly procuring the studies?<\/li><li>would competitive dialogue be more appropriate at this stage?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the answer to several of these questions is negative, PMI is probably not the right instrument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PMI does not replace the Administration\u2019s planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the greatest risks in interpreting PMI is treating it as a mechanism to transfer to the market the responsibility for defining the public problem by itself. Art. 81 allows the Administration to request studies, investigations, surveys and projects for innovative solutions, but the Administration remains responsible for stating which issue it intends to solve, which information will be made available and how the products received will be evaluated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The public call must begin from a sufficiently characterized need. The more generic the question presented to the market, the greater the tendency to receive incomparable studies, proposals shaped around each participant\u2019s portfolio or solutions that address different problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This does not mean the Administration should enter PMI with the solution already defined. If there is already a consolidated solution, mature scope, sufficient Basic Design and a known market, the procedure may add little value. PMI is intended precisely to expand knowledge when relevant alternatives still need to be explored, but within a public problem delimited in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>The Administration should define beforehand<\/td><td>The market may help develop<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>public problem<\/td><td>solution alternatives<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>objectives and expected outcomes<\/td><td>possible architectures and models<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>institutional constraints<\/td><td>implementation strategies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>available data<\/td><td>complementary surveys<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>evaluation criteria<\/td><td>technical and economic-financial studies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>use and reimbursement rules<\/td><td>estimates and analyses according to the public call<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This division preserves neutrality. The market contributes technical knowledge and alternatives, but the Administration remains responsible for deciding what is useful, sufficient and compatible with the public interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to structure comparable deliverables in the public call<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For PMI to produce usable information, the public-call notice needs to define a minimum delivery structure. It is not necessary to prescribe a single solution, but it is essential to establish which dimensions every study must address. Without this, comparison may become impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For an infrastructure or technology-transformation project, for example, it may be appropriate to require each study to organize its proposal into equivalent blocks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>diagnosis of the problem and assumptions adopted;<\/li><li>alternatives analyzed;<\/li><li>recommended solution and justification;<\/li><li>technical architecture or concept;<\/li><li>investment and lifecycle-cost estimate;<\/li><li>implementation schedule;<\/li><li>risks and constraints;<\/li><li>institutional and regulatory interfaces;<\/li><li>operations and maintenance model;<\/li><li>performance indicators and success criteria.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This structure makes it possible to compare different lines of reasoning without forcing participants to reach the same conclusion. The purpose of PMI is not to standardize solutions, but to ensure alternatives can be evaluated on a common basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is also important to require explicit disclosure of assumptions. Two studies may reach radically different values because one assumes demand growth of 3% and the other 12%, or because they use different analysis horizons. Without recording these assumptions, the Administration may interpret as a difference in efficiency what is actually a difference in scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Dimension<\/td><td>Expected evidence<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Alignment with the problem<\/td><td>explicit relationship between need and solution<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Technical feasibility<\/td><td>identified assumptions, interfaces and limitations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Economic feasibility<\/td><td>estimates, assumptions and lifecycle costs<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Implementation<\/td><td>stages, dependencies and schedule<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Risks<\/td><td>events, impacts and treatment measures<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Operations<\/td><td>operating model, maintenance and performance<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to build an evaluation matrix for the studies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00a73 of art. 81 requires a reasoned opinion for acceptance of products and services, demonstrating adequacy and sufficiency for understanding the object, compatibility of assumptions with actual needs and the advantage of the proposed methodology compared with alternatives. To reach this opinion consistently, it is advisable to define evaluation criteria before receiving the studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The matrix below is a methodological example, not a weighting imposed by law. Weights should vary according to the nature of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Criterion<\/td><td>Example weight<\/td><td>Evaluation question<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Understanding of the problem<\/td><td>15<\/td><td>does the study address the real public need?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Technical consistency<\/td><td>20<\/td><td>is the solution technically coherent and verifiable?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Assumptions and data<\/td><td>15<\/td><td>are the assumptions transparent and compatible?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Economic-financial feasibility<\/td><td>15<\/td><td>were costs and benefits structured defensibly?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Risks and implementation<\/td><td>15<\/td><td>were dependencies and risks addressed?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Operations and lifecycle<\/td><td>10<\/td><td>does the solution consider maintenance and future performance?<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Document quality<\/td><td>10<\/td><td>can the product be audited and used?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More important than the weight is defining what constitutes insufficient, adequate and superior performance under each criterion. Without a rubric, evaluation may become a sum of impressions. With a rubric, the team can record why a study was used in full, only in part or rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The evaluation also does not need to produce a single intellectual winner. PMI allows the Administration to use content from different sources, provided that the consolidation is reasoned. A final solution may use the diagnosis from one study, assumptions from another and a technology alternative identified by a third, as long as the combined result is technically coordinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From PMI to procurement: how to neutralize information advantages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Art. 81 makes clear that conducting the studies does not grant preference in the future procurement. For this rule to work in practice, the Administration must convert the knowledge produced in PMI into documentation that is accessible and neutral to the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Studies linked to the contracting process and useful to the procurement must remain available to interested parties. This is essential because those who participated in PMI naturally know the assumptions, surveys and decisions discussed during the procedure better. Disclosure of the products used reduces this information asymmetry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before the procurement notice, it is advisable to carry out a technical consolidation stage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>identify which portions of each study will be used;<\/li><li>eliminate requirements tied exclusively to one participant\u2019s commercial solution;<\/li><li>review assumptions and data that have become outdated;<\/li><li>coordinate documents produced by different authors;<\/li><li>convert product or brand concepts into performance requirements where possible;<\/li><li>record the acceptance opinion required by art. 81;<\/li><li>make available to future bidders the studies and baseline data required to prepare proposals.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This process is particularly important when PMI involves technology. A study may use a specific manufacturer, integrator or platform ecosystem as a reference. If the Administration simply transfers this architecture into the procurement notice without review, it risks converting a market contribution into a restrictive specification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reimbursement: what must be defined from the public call onward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Law adopts a specific logic for the costs of studies. Participation in PMI does not, by itself, create a right to reimbursement. When studies are linked to the contract and useful to a future procurement, the winner must reimburse the corresponding expenditures as specified in the notice. The public authority is not charged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To avoid later conflict, the public call should establish from the outset how values will be presented, analyzed and potentially recognized. The mere fact that a participant states that it spent a certain amount does not require acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Point<\/td><td>Recommended definition<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Eligible expenses<\/td><td>which categories may be included in the recognized amount<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Form of evidence<\/td><td>required documents and calculation memory<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Partial use<\/td><td>how to treat a study used only in part<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cap or reference<\/td><td>limits when provided in the public call<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Party responsible for payment<\/td><td>winner of the future procurement, as provided by law<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Condition for payment<\/td><td>link to actual use and the future contract<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior definition also improves study quality. Participants understand the economic conditions of the procedure and can rationally decide whether to assume the risk of developing work that may not be used or may not result in a procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In-depth example: PMI for a Smart City program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider a municipality that intends to structure an integrated program of smart lighting, video surveillance, urban connectivity, environmental sensors, a data platform and an operations center. The need exists, but it is still unclear which architecture provides the best relationship among investment, performance and operational capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A PMI may be appropriate if the public call avoids simply requesting \u201ca Smart City project.\u201d Instead, it may require participants to respond to a common baseline: priority areas, public indicators, existing infrastructure, interoperability requirements, information security, operating horizon, budget constraints and availability targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The studies could compare different connectivity topologies, storage and processing models, integration alternatives, phased implementation strategies and operating models. Each submission should present implementation and lifecycle costs, lock-in risks, manufacturer dependencies and maintenance requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Administration would then not simply choose the most sophisticated study. It would evaluate which assumptions are realistic, which components can be combined and which architecture best meets the intended public outcomes. The PMI product would be a basis for decision-making and contracting, not automatic authorization to replicate one participant\u2019s commercial solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a future procurement takes place, the documents used must be made available to interested parties. The notice should present sufficient requirements for companies that did not participate in PMI to compete effectively, preserving the principle that the study author does not receive automatic preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PMI is a powerful tool for structuring complex public projects when the Administration needs to broaden its understanding of available solutions before procuring. Its value lies in incorporating market knowledge without transferring to a private party the final decision on the public interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The procedure creates no preference, guarantees no contract and does not automatically generate reimbursement. Accepted studies must be evaluated through a reasoned opinion, properly disclosed and converted into a neutral baseline for future competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In engineering, a well-conducted PMI can reduce uncertainty and improve the Basic Design, risk matrix and procurement strategy. A poorly defined PMI, on the other hand, may produce incomparable studies, dependence on a private solution and information asymmetry. The difference lies in the quality of the problem definition, public call and public technical evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Technical references<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[1] BRAZIL. Law No. 14,133, of April 1, 2021 \u2014 Public Procurement and Administrative Contracts Law. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.planalto.gov.br\/ccivil_03\/_ato2019-2022\/2021\/lei\/l14133.htm\">https:\/\/www.planalto.gov.br\/ccivil_03\/_ato2019-2022\/2021\/lei\/l14133.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[2] FEDERAL COURT OF ACCOUNTS \u2014 TCU. Procurement and Contracts Manual \u2014 5.9.3 Procedure for Expression of Interest. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/licitacoesecontratos.tcu.gov.br\/5-9-3-procedimento-de-manifestacao-de-interesse-2\/\">https:\/\/licitacoesecontratos.tcu.gov.br\/5-9-3-procedimento-de-manifestacao-de-interesse-2\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[3] COURT OF ACCOUNTS OF THE STATE OF S\u00c3O PAULO. Commented Law 14,133 \u2014 Article 81. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tce.sp.gov.br\/legislacao-comentada\/lei-14133-1o-abril-2021\/81\">https:\/\/www.tce.sp.gov.br\/legislacao-comentada\/lei-14133-1o-abril-2021\/81<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[4] BRAZIL. Decree No. 8,428, of April 2, 2015 \u2014 Procedure for Expression of Interest within its scope of application. Available at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.planalto.gov.br\/ccivil_03\/_ato2015-2018\/2015\/decreto\/d8428.htm\">https:\/\/www.planalto.gov.br\/ccivil_03\/_ato2015-2018\/2015\/decreto\/d8428.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Frequently asked questions<\/summary>\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-o-que-pmi-na-lei-14-133-ccbe6f0c\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is PMI under Law 14,133?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It is the Procedure for Expression of Interest, an auxiliary procedure through which the Administration requests from the private sector studies, investigations, surveys and projects for innovative solutions through a public call.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-quem-faz-o-estudo-no-pmi-tem-direito-de-ganhar-a-25a38579\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Does whoever prepares a PMI study have the right to win the future procurement?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. The Law expressly establishes that preparing the studies does not grant a right of preference in the future procurement.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-a-administra-o-obrigada-a-fazer-licita-o-depois--c08b18e4\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is the Administration required to conduct a procurement after PMI?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. PMI does not oblige the public authority to carry out the future procurement.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-quem-paga-os-estudos-do-pmi-0a3264f4\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Who pays for PMI studies?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Preparing a study does not automatically create a right to reimbursement. When studies are accepted and used in a future procurement, the notice must regulate reimbursement by the winner of that procurement, and charging those amounts to the public authority is prohibited.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-o-autor-do-estudo-pode-participar-da-licita-o-fu-a0e749c0\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can the study author participate in the future procurement?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The TCU records that there is no specific statutory prohibition under the PMI regime preventing such participation. However, the author receives no preference, and the Administration must ensure equal treatment, disclosure of the studies used and equivalent access to relevant information.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-qual-a-diferen-a-entre-pmi-e-di-logo-competitivo-34f57ecd\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the difference between PMI and competitive dialogue?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">PMI is an auxiliary procedure before a possible procurement. Competitive dialogue is a procurement method in which the Administration interacts with preselected participants to develop solutions and then receives final proposals.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-pmi-serve-para-qualquer-projeto-de-engenharia-3b4f049a\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is PMI suitable for every engineering project?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. It tends to be more useful when there is real uncertainty about the best solution and the market can contribute relevant studies. When the solution is already mature, it may be more efficient to directly procure the studies or proceed to the appropriate procurement.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Complementary technical materials<\/summary>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main content on this topic<\/h4>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/conteudo\/artigos-tecnicos\/servicos-especiais-engenharia-concorrencia-inexigibilidade-dispensa-lei-14133\/\">Special Engineering Services under Law 14,133<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/conteudo\/artigos-tecnicos\/melhor-tecnica-tecnica-preco-lei-14133-como-pontuar\/\">Best Technique vs. Technique and Price under Law 14,133<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related technical content<\/h4>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/conteudo\/artigos-tecnicos\/projeto-basico-executivo-obra-publica-lei-14133\/\">Basic Design vs. Detailed Design in Public Works<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/conteudo\/guias-tecnicos\/guia-completo-sobre-licitacoes-e-contratos-de-engenharia\/\">Complete Guide to Public Procurement and Engineering Contracts<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related services<\/h4>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/planejamento\/estudo-tecnico-preliminar-etp-engenharia\/\">Preliminary Technical Study \u2014 Engineering ETP<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/planejamento\/termo-referencia-obras-servicos-engenharia\/\">Terms of Reference for Public Works and Engineering Services<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/planejamento\/revisao-tecnica-edital-anexos-licitacoes-engenharia\/\">Technical Review of Procurement Notice and Attachments<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com.br\/servicos\/servicos-transversais\/apoio-tecnico-licitacao-analise-propostas-engenharia\/\">Technical Support for Procurement and Proposal Analysis<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/details>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understand the Procedure for Expression of Interest (PMI) under Law 14,133, when to use it, how to structure the public call, evaluate studies and use the results in future procurements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"_a3a_global_related_solutions":[],"_a3a_global_related_services":[],"_a3a_global_related_materials":[],"_a3a_post_lang":"en-us","_a3a_translation_group_id":"68ef72e6-931d-407a-a077-6c0e57702563","_a3a_i18n_canonical_slug":"procedure-expression-interest-pmi-law-14133-public-projects-works"},"categories":[],"segments":[],"mercados":[],"etapas":[],"class_list":["post-74323","articles","type-articles","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/74323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/articles"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/74323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74330,"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/74323\/revisions\/74330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74323"},{"taxonomy":"segments","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/segments?post=74323"},{"taxonomy":"mercados","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mercados?post=74323"},{"taxonomy":"etapas","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a3aengenharia.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/etapas?post=74323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}