The Russian government has issued a directive allowing state-owned corporations to bypass competitive bidding when procuring software and equipment. This exemption applies to products and services developed based on technologies initiated by the corporation or its subsidiaries and supported by the federal budget.
To utilize this mechanism, information regarding the technology must be registered on the Startup Showcase platform, a subsystem of the state information system Economy. The Ministry of Economic Development noted that this change aims to simplify procurement for products customized to corporate requirements and to strengthen internal technological supply chains.
The new rules primarily target sectors such as oil and gas, transport, energy, and IT. Small technology companies with annual revenues up to 4 ₽ billion are expected to benefit from expanded market access. Currently, only 23% of such companies participate in procurement under the 223-FZ law, with total contract volumes reaching 129.5 ₽ billion between January and September 25, 2026.
Industry experts express caution regarding the implementation of these rules. While the measure reduces administrative burdens for bespoke solutions, there are concerns that direct contracting may attract increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies. Some analysts suggest that the policy could favor established partners, potentially creating barriers for regional startups lacking prior pilot project experience.
