What is BIM and why will it be key in public tenders in Mexico?

Imagine taking part in a multimillion‑peso public tender and being left out because your company does not have BIM capabilities.
This is not science fiction: BIM adoption is advancing so quickly in Mexico that, by 2026, it will be practically a de facto standard for competing in major infrastructure projects.

The3D modeling is no longer a stand‑alone competitive advantage. It is evolving into a key technical requirement in public works, driven by the Strategy for the Implementation of Building Information Modeling (MIC) published by the Ministry of Finance (SHCP) in 2019. *

Internationally, countries such as the United Kingdom, Chile, and Spain have incorporated BIM into government projects, reporting significant reductions in cost overruns, better delivery times, and greater transparency in contract management.
Mexico is already following the same path through a national strategy of progressive adoption.*.

If you are still wondering exactly what BIM is in the Mexican context, how it relates to ISO standards such as the 19650 series, or how to prepare so you do not fall behind in the public market, this guide will give you strategic clarity.

What is BIM and why will it be so important in public works?

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a collaborative methodology that integrates geometric, technical, economic, and operational information into a single digital model throughout the asset’s life cycle.
A diferencia del CAD tradicional, que principalmente dibuja líneas y geometría, BIM construye información estructurada que sirve para diseñar, construir, operar y mantener una obra.

A BIM model can include, among other elements:

3D geometry
Material data and technical specifications
Costs and budgets (5D)
Construction scheduling and planning (4D)
Information for operation and maintenance (often called 6D)
Traceability throughout the asset’s life cycle

In Mexico, BIM adoption is framed within the MIC Strategy of the Ministry of Finance, which seeks to improve planning efficiency, reduce cost and time overruns, and strengthen transparency in public infrastructure.*

BIM strategy in Mexico: towards a de facto standard in 2026

In March 2019, the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with other federal agencies, published the Strategy for the Implementation of Building Information Modeling (MIC) in Mexico The overall objective is to improve public infrastructure development processes, reduce cost and time overruns, and strengthen transparency and accountability.

This strategy proposes a gradual adoption of BIM over an approximate horizon of eight years, with the goal of consolidating it as a standard by 2026. *
Although the use of BIM is not yet legally mandatory in all public tenders, its growing adoption in federal agencies is turning it into a de facto competitive standard for infrastructure projects.

We can understand the adoption in three major stages, as a kind of strategic scenario:

2019–2022: strategy design, pilot projects, and the first BIM experiences in federal agencies.
2023–2025: driving more public projects with BIM and aligning internal processes in government and private companies.
2026 onwards: consolidation of BIM as the standard methodology for relevant public infrastructure projects, where it will be very difficult to compete without strong BIM capabilities.

The conclusion is clear: for anyone who wants to participate in major tenders, BIM will cease to be a bonus and will become a practical requirement to remain competitive.

ISO 19650 standards and BIM standardization in Mexico

BIM adoption is not only technological; it is also regulatory.
The ISO 19650 series defines how to manage information in BIM‑based projects throughout the asset’s life cycle.*

In short:

ISO 19650‑1 and ISO 19650‑2 set out principles and requirements for information management in the design and construction phases, including concepts such as:
- Project Information Model (PIM)
- Asset Information Model (AIM)
- Common Data Environment (CDE)
- BIM roles (BIM Manager, BIM Coordinator, model authors, etc.)
- Use of open formats such as IFC for interoperability
ISO 19650‑3 focuses on the operation phase, covering model updates during the asset’s useful life and serving as a basis for digital twins.

In Mexico, various public and private stakeholders are aligning their processes with the ISO 19650 series, and the MIC Strategy includes the use of national and international standards (NOM and NMX) to establish a common approach to BIM adoption.
Organizations such as ONNCCE, INDAABIN, and groups like BIM Task Group Mexico and buildingSMART chapters are involved in promoting standards, best practices, and open formats.*

What changes for architects, engineers, and construction firms?

The impact of BIM is structural for those involved in public works and complex projects.

PDF plans are no longer enough.
Tenders with a higher BIM maturity level usually require deliverables such as:

Coordinated BIM models (federated model)
Documented MEP coordination
BIM Execution Plan (BEP)
Delivery in interoperable formats (for example, IFC)
Digital traceability and structured documentation

BIM capability becomes a technical criterion.
The BIM maturity level of a company is starting to be an evaluation factor: use of a CDE, processes aligned with ISO 19650, staff with experience or certifications, and real capacity to coordinate multidisciplinary models.
Not having these capabilities can mean losing competitiveness against companies that do, even if the requirement is not yet “legally mandatory” in all tenders.
The model is becoming closer to a contractual document.
In mature BIM environments, the model stops being just a graphical deliverable and becomes the main reference for technical coordination, quantities, and scopes, which brings it closer to a contractual role in project management.

BIM in the Mexican context: strategic uses

Although adoption is still uneven, strategic BIM applications can already be seen in key infrastructure sectors in Mexico.

Federal infrastructure
Roads, hospitals, airports, and transportation projects have begun incorporating BIM to improve coordination, quantity control, and traceability.
Public hospitals
BIM makes it possible to coordinate critical systems such as medical gases, electrical systems, HVAC, and special systems with high precision, while laying the groundwork for more efficient maintenance..
Education sector
In educational buildings, BIM helps plan extensions or renovations while minimizing disruption to academic operations.
Heritage restoration with Scan‑to‑BIM
The use of 3D laser scanning to generate BIM models (Scan‑to‑BIM) has become essential for documenting historic buildings with great precision, facilitating diagnostics and structural interventions

How to prepare for public tenders with BIM?

1. Strategic training

The first step is to develop real competencies within your team.
Some key software tools in the BIM ecosystem are Revit, Navisworks, Tekla Structures, and Archicad, which are widely used in design, coordination, and construction.

Recommended certifications and training:

Autodesk Certified Professional in BIM tools
Certifications and courses aligned with buildingSMART and IFC
BIM diploma programs and postgraduate studies at universities and specialized training centers

2. Implement a Common Data Environment (CDE)

The CDE is the heart of BIM information management.
A well‑implemented CDE enables version control, approval workflows, integration of RFIs, logs, and automatic generation of documentary evidence for auditing.

Without a CDE, traceability breaks down and it becomes very difficult to demonstrate control and coordination in complex projects.

3. Define internal BIM roles

To professionalize operations, it is advisable to define roles such as

BIM Manager: defines the company’s BIM strategy, standards, templates, and processes.
BIM Coordinator: coordinates models across disciplines, manages clashes, and ensures alignment with the BEP.
Model authors or discipline modelers: develop the models in line with the defined standards.

4. Prepare a BEP (BIM Execution Plan)

The BEP is the document that brings order to a BIM project.
It should define the project’s BIM objectives, levels of detail (LOD) per phase, delivery formats, responsibilities for each stakeholder, and change and approval procedures.

In projects aligned with ISO 19650, having a clear and agreed‑upon BEP is critical to demonstrating compliance with information management processes.

Where does Foundtech fit into this picture?

Many companies want to implement BIM, but they face a critical problem: they do not have accurate as‑built information for their existing assets, which limits their ability to tender or modernize on a reliable basis.
This is where the Scan‑to‑BIM process becomes strategic.

At Foundtech:

We capture reality through high‑precision 3D laser scanning.
We generate BIM models with an appropriate level of detail for design, coordination, and tendering.
We create a reliable digital base of your assets so you can participate in tenders with solid information.
We prepare models aligned with best practices associated with ISO 19650 and open formats such as IFC.
We facilitate the transition towards digital‑twin schemes in later stages.

Because BIM does not start in the software; it starts with the accuracy of the survey and the quality of the information that feeds the model.

Conclusion: 2026 is not the future; it is present‑day planning.

BIM in Mexico is no longer just a trend; it is part of an evolving public policy through the MIC Strategy and other infrastructure‑modernization initiatives.
The government market remains one of the largest drivers of construction investment in the country, and the gap between companies with BIM capabilities and those without them will become increasingly evident.

The question is no longer:
“Should I implement BIM?”
The right question is::
“Am I ready to compete when BIM becomes the expected standard in the tenders I am interested in?”

AtFoundtech we help architects, construction firms, and industries take that step with technical certainty and millimetric precision, especially in everything related to Scan‑to‑BIM and reliable models of their assets.
Because digital transformation is not just about efficiency; it is about building the future with intelligence and solid data from the ground up.

Do you want to be part of this revolution? Contact us to schedule a diagnostic assessment for your project.