What is the problem? Vary specifications for tenders on public procurement

Public authorities should make the best use of available standards when commissioning hardware, software and IT services from external suppliers. Yet, the practices of public authorities across the EU vary greatly when it comes to writing tender specifications for public procurement. In some cases, public authorities find themselves unintentionally locked into particular IT solutions for decades, simply because they failed to draft sufficiently flexible tender specifications allowing for open choices in technological evolution.

Why is EU action required? Public authorities lose out

The Commission will draw up detailed guidelines on how to make best use of ICT standards in tender specifications. For instance, public authorities should select standards which can be implemented by all interested suppliers, allowing for more competition and reducing the risk of lock-in. (See also action 26.)

What will the Commission do?

The European Commission will:

In 2011:

• Conduct a pan-European study assessing the public procurement practices in the EU. The call for tender for this study is open until 15/04/2011.
• Execute an awareness-raising campaign on public procurement and standardisation, targeting the relevant stakeholders (public bodies, industry, and lobby groups).
• Consult the public on the possible alternatives identified by the pan-European study. - Based on the results of this consultation, prepare a Commission Communication to demonstrate the link between ICT standardisation and successful public procurement.

In 2012:

• Adopt the Communication on standardisation and public procurement.
• Make sure that the guidelines are practically applicable by all public procurers of ICT goods and services.

Contact:

rainer.zimmermann@ec.europa.eu