21 Dec 2011
The European Commission (EC) has published proposals for major reform of public procurement, including opportunities to negotiate more with suppliers and a reduction in administration.
Other amendments put forward by the EC include reducing the number of tender notices that local and regional authorities need to publish, shorter deadlines to complete tenders and the full use of e-procurement within two years.
The Commission has decided not to raise the value of thresholds and to essentially scrap (with a few exceptions) the classification of ‘part B’ services – such as health and education services – that previously benefitted from a more relaxed regulatory regime.
The Directive represents 12 months of work by the Commission, incorporating the views and suggestions of buyers, suppliers, and politicians. If these reforms are accepted by member states, the new rules should be in force by the 30 June 2014.
Read the full EC Directive on Public Procurement