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Traditionally, the entities and enterprises with the largest purchasing budgets have been:Public entities:• Secretariat of Communications and Transport (SCT)• Secretariat of Public Education (SEP)• Treasury Department (SHCP)• Secretariat of Health (SS)Public enterprises:• Mexican Petroleum (PEMEX)• Federal Commission of Electricity (CFE)• Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS)• The State Worker’s Security and Social Services Institute (ISSSTE)U.S. firms may take advantage of electronic means to participate in the bidding process.U.S. firms that want to learn more about tenders and bids can check the following webpage, which includes all information on current tenders, statistics, and complaints:http://www.compranet.gob.mx.While maintaining a representative or office in Mexico is not a prerequisite to obtaininggovernment contracts, it can simplify obtaining the information needed to prepare biddocuments and support after-sales service and parts supply.U.S. firms are encouraged to carefully analyze with their representative the tenderspecifications. They may differ from entity to entity, depending on the value of operation,type of goods or services, budget limitations, etc. A bid will be disqualified if notreceived within the specified period of time. Stipulated bids can also be disqualified fornot meeting technical details. Likewise, each tender includes a specific period of timefor participants to ask questions. By paying attention to all the details, the unnecessarydisqualification of a firm may be avoided. In some tenders, only written questions arepermitted. Replies are given to all purchasers of the tender documents.If a tender specifies a certain brand or gives preference to a supplier, a complaint can befiled with the General Directorate of Complaints before the contract is awarded. Eachbid should only consider the exact specifications listed in the tender. "Additionalsolutions" and/or specifications not listed will disqualify the bid.Finally, U.S. firms should communicate regularly with their Mexican representative andfine-tune all details related to the required documents. There have been numerouscases of disqualification based upon seemingly insignificant failures on the part ofbidders to comply with tender regulations and procedures to the letter of the law.Distribution and Sales ChannelsReturn to topMexico has an adequate transportation network that is being modernized. The mainland-border crossings with the U.S. are: Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Juarez, Piedras Negras,Mexicali, and Tijuana, of which Tijuana has the highest passenger traffic in the world.Laredo/Nuevo Laredo is by far the most popular land-border crossing for goods, whereapproximately 60% of all U.S.-Mexican trade clears customs. Most Mexican companies,