Brussels, 06/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The cities have welcomed new rules on public procurement and concessions, as confirmed by the internal market committee vote on Thursday 5 September (see EUROPE 10915) on the compromise reached in trialogue.
Eurocities President, Paul Bevan's response to the vote was to welcome the revision of the two directives on awarding public contracts (2004/17 and 2004/18), which he said would give the local authorities greater freedom in strategic choices when goods, services and public works were procured. The cities appreciate the fact that they will now not be required to go for the cheapest option but will be able to select bids based on environmental and social merits and quality of after-sales service and technical assistance. It is all the more important as public authorities spend the equivalent of almost one fifth of EU GDP each year on procurement and that the authorities are directly accountable to the tax payer.
The cities will undoubtedly have more leeway in turning to SMEs and the latter will be encouraged to participate more fully in the calls for tender by way of simplified procedures. Eurocities pointed out that the standardised, simplified European Single Procurement Document form would help them avoid administrative costs.
The cities were relieved that the directive on concessions did not cover the water sector and Bevan explained that “their decision shows respect for the way water is managed differently in member states according to the local situation”. The local authorities also appreciate the fact that this new directive confirms their independence when deciding on the best way of providing public services because local governments are best at assessing the needs of their citizens. (MD/transl.fl)