PUBLIC PROCUREMENT - Lexnet

Progress Report http://simap.eu.int/DA/pub/src/d009.html
Pilot Project on Public Procurement
Administrative Co-operation on Problem Solution – a project involving Denmark, Germany,
Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom
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18. may 1999
Progress Report
Report on Activities within the Framework of the Pilot Project on Public Procurement
Covering the Period up to 31 March 1999
Introduction
This report gives a brief overview of the Pilot Project on Public Procurement and of
activities undertaken in the period from the initiation of the project up to 31 March 1999,
where the first chairmanship (Denmark) has handed this function over to the UK.
Some relevant background papers are enclosed to this report. A list of these can be found at
the end of this report.
Background and Purpose of the Pilot Project
In its Green Paper on Public Procurement in the European Union (COM (98) 583 of 27
November 1996), the European Commission i.a. launches a suggestion that Member States
set up an individual authority or designate an existing authority to supervise that full and
effective application of the EU procurement rules be made by the contracting
authorities/entities in the respective countries. The Commission invites Member States to
run a pilot project to test this idea in practice.
In its ensuing Communication (COM (98) 143 of 11 March 1998), the Commission
encourages that such authorities be set up, i.a. in order to serve as contact points for a rapid,
informal solution of problems encountered in gaining acces to public contracts. It is
mentioned that the Pilot Project initiated by Denmark - being hitherto the only specific
initative to take up the idea launched in the Green Paper - could further enhance the
expected positive effects. Suppliers facing problems with acces to procurement procedures
could thereby get access to rapid, informal problem solutions without having to take court
actions or other formal measures. This in effect could contribute to the creation of a
genuinely open European procurement market. The project is therefore strongly supported
by the Commission.
The overall purpose of the project is, thus, to contribute to the achievement of a genuine
EU-wide procurement market in accordance with the objectives stated in the Commission´s
Green Paper and Communication. This is first and foremost to be done through the
designation of one ore more (already existing or newly appointed) authorities/bodies in the
participating Member States, whatever model that may best fit into the administrative
"culture" and traditions in each Member State. These bodies will act as contact points for a
rapid and informal solution of problems encountered by suppliers in getting access to public
contracts and through cooperation in a network between these and the Commission.
Launching of the Pilot Project
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