Attestazione SOA

What it is

Attestazione SOA is a qualification ("attestazione di qualificazione") that Italian and foreign contractors need to bid on public works contracts (appalti di lavori) at or above €150,000.

The legal basis is D.Lgs. 31 marzo 2023, n. 36 (Codice dei Contratti Pubblici), Art. 100(4): "Per le procedure di aggiudicazione di appalti di lavori di importo pari o superiore a 150.000 euro le stazioni appaltanti richiedono che gli operatori economici siano qualificati."

This requirement is scoped to public works contracts at or above the threshold — it does not apply to public supply or service contracts, and works below €150,000 are outside this requirement, based on the verified text of Art. 100(4).

Who owns it

SOA bodies (Società Organismi di Attestazione) are private-law entities authorized by ANAC (Autorità Nazionale Anticorruzione) to issue the attestazione — Art. 100(4): "L'attestazione di qualificazione è rilasciata da organismi di diritto privato autorizzati dall'ANAC." ANAC authorizes the SOA bodies directly; it does not itself issue the attestazione to contractors.

Who assesses it

The authorized SOA body assesses the contractor and issues the attestazione; ANAC maintains the public registry of authorized SOA bodies, including any suspensions or revocations.

Who asks for it

Public procurement. Verified from D.Lgs. 36/2023, Art. 100(4): the €150,000 qualification requirement applies to "appalti di lavori" (public works/construction contracts) at or above that threshold — not to public supply or service contracts, and not to works below the threshold.

Italian contracting authorities (stazioni appaltanti) require it from any economic operator bidding on a public works contract at or above €150,000, per Art. 100(4).