Brussels, 27/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 26 September, MEPs on the European Parliament's internal market committee unanimously backed a report by Heide Rühle (Greens/EFA, Germany) on the process of updating the EU directives governing the award of public contracts in Europe (see EUROPE 10303). To make life easier for small businesses wanting to enter the public procurement market, the MEPs suggest introducing an e-passport system whereby companies would join an online register once they show that they respect all EU rules, a register managed by the member states at national level. This would mean that small business would no longer have to make statements and provide supporting documentation to this effect when contracts are signed, and should therefore slash costs.
The draft report will be voted upon at the EP's plenary in October. It suggests that when calls for tender are issued, formal statements should be allowed where possible, with original documents only being required from shortlisted firms or even solely from the company that wins the contract. It also recommends that big contracts be subdivided into smaller units.
In a press release, the rapporteur says she wants to simplify the award of public contracts and make it more flexible, to the benefit of small business. In a press release, she explains that the current rules are complex and therefore generate legal uncertainty, generating complex legal issues for private and public enterprises that they cannot settle and so they have to call in outside expertise. She says that the sheer complexity of the public tender system is why public authorities often choose the clearest bid, rather than the cheapest. To tackle this, the committee members called for all the costs of a product or service throughout its life.
The MEPs discussed whether to increase the EU thresholds beyond which public tender is covered by EU directives. For the supply of goods and services, they urge the Commission to reassess the thresholds, raising them where necessary to make it easier for small business to win public contracts. (MB/transl.fl)