JRA Bidding for FY2027 Official SNS Operation Support Servi…

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced in the Government Procurement edition of the Official Gazette dated October 27, 2026, that it will open a general competitive bid for the FY2027 JRA Official SNS Operation Support Services (one set). The announcement number is Customer No. 28, the procurement agency number is 236, and the item classification number is 73. The deadline for submission of bids and the opening of bids will both take place on December 16, 2026, at 13:00, in Meeting Room 406 on the 4th floor of the Japan Racing Association Headquarters in Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo.

The Government Procurement edition of the Official Gazette is the version that publishes bid announcements and notices of successful bidders for procurements subject to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement. On the same day, bid announcements, corrections to bid announcements, publications regarding requests for information, notices regarding requests for comments, and notices regarding discretionary contracts were published together. The Japan Racing Association utilizes both its own procurement qualification system and the Unified Qualification System for all government ministries and agencies. The official in charge of contracts for this matter is Takaaki Suganuma, Head of the Contract Office, Legal Department.

Scope of Work and Main Conditions of Bidding Procedures

The procurement details and procedural conditions for this matter were indicated in the announcement as follows:

The subject and quantity of purchase are “FY2027 JRA Official SNS Operation Support Services, one set.”
Specifications of the procurement project, performance period, performance location, and bidding method are all according to the bid explanation documents.
The amount stated in the bid shall include consumption tax and local consumption tax.
Bid bonds and contract performance bonds are waived. The preparation of a written contract is required.
This bid is subject to a low-bid price investigation, and the method for determining the successful bidder shall be according to the bid explanation documents.
The language and currency used for contract procedures shall be Japanese and Japanese currency.

Briefing Session, Submission Deadline, and Contact Information

The bid briefing session will be held on November 27, 2026, from 14:00 in Meeting Room 405 on the 4th floor of the Headquarters, and the bid explanation documents will be delivered directly on-site. The method for submitting bids and other documents will be explained to those who receive the explanation documents; electronic bidding will not be used.

Briefing Session: November 27, 2026, 14:00, Headquarters 4th Floor Meeting Room 405.
Bidding/Opening of Bids: December 16, 2026, 13:00, Headquarters 4th Floor Meeting Room 406.
Suspension of Participation: Bids from persons who have been subject to measures suspending participation in competitive bidding by the JRA or an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries between the date of announcement and the date of bid opening shall be invalid.
Suspension After Award: If suspension measures are taken between the determination of the successful bidder and the conclusion of the contract, all matters regarding this bid shall be void.
Contact: Japan Racing Association, Legal Department and Contract Office (1-1-1 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Tel: 03-3591-5251, keiyaku-qa@jra.go.jp). For details on qualifications, etc., refer to https://jra.jp/company/product/bid/.

Required Qualifications for Competitive Participation

Eligibility will be determined based on one of two frameworks. The announcement assumes participants are those recognized as having a sound management and credit status, and possessing the capabilities necessary to execute the duties.

Those whose contract type is “Service Contracts, etc.” under the FY2024–2026 Japan Racing Association “Examination Standards for Qualification and Grade Rating of Competitive Participants in the Procurement of Goods, etc.”
Those whose qualification type is “Provision of Services, etc.” and grade is A under the FY2025, 2026, and 2027 All-Ministry Unified Qualification.
Those attempting to participate without current qualifications may still do so, provided that the qualification is granted and they meet the relevant grade by the bid submission deadline.

Other Government Procurement Projects Announced on the Same Day

The announcement edition for the same day also listed projects for construction work and goods procurement.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Chubu Regional Development Bureau (Expenditure Burdening Officer: Taku Nishimura): Three bridge foundation projects for the Nishi-Chita Road (No. 247, FY2026) (Tokai JC H-Ramp bridge foundation work, Arao 2nd Viaduct P7/8 foundation work, and Arao 2nd Viaduct P5/6 foundation work). The work location is Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture. These are subject to electronic bidding and electronic contracting and are considered pilot projects where three projects with common technical documentation are announced and examined as a bundle.
National Police Agency (Director of Accounting Division, Minister’s Secretariat: Kensuke Kihara): 348 toner cartridges (CT203924) and 25 other items. The bid submission deadline is December 17, 2026, at 17:00, with the bid opening on December 18 at 14:00.
Japan Coast Guard (Director General of General Affairs Department: Koji Kuwaboto): Published Correction No. 1 to the bid announcement for Special Vessel Contract No. 1194, amending the end date of the performance period published on October 2, 2026 (Extra Government Procurement No. 182) from March 26, 2027, to March 31, 2027.

Future Focus Points Indicated by the Procurement Announcement

This project involves outsourcing the operation of official SNS accounts responsible for disseminating information regarding horse race events and betting. Depending on the successful bidder, the information dissemination system and public relations capabilities for FY2027 will be affected. Since the estimated price is not indicated in the announcement and the performance period will be clarified in the bid explanation documents, practical interest is focused on the specifications provided at the briefing and the operation of the low-bid price investigation. Businesses considering participation must confirm their grade rating and the absence of any participation suspension measures, based on attending the briefing on November 27 and the submission deadline of December 16.

Official Source

Official Gazette, Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Government Procurement Notice Edition, Japan Racing Association Invitation to Bid Customer No. 28 (Procurement Agency Number 236, Item Classification Number 73).
Same edition, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Chubu Regional Development Bureau Invitation to Bid (Construction Work) FY2026 No. 247, 3 items related to Nishi-Chita Road, October 27, 2026.
Same edition, National Police Agency Invitation to Bid No. 122 (Item Classification Number 14), October 27, 2026.
Same edition, Japan Coast Guard Correction to Invitation to Bid No. 1 (Special Vessel Contract No. 1194), October 27, 2026.