Civil engineering contractors today welcomed the UK Government’s proposals outlined in Transforming Public Procurement, but are seeking clarification as to how they will be applied to the construction industry.
The proposed changes aim to simplify procurement rules following Brexit to radically improve how public sector projects are procured and delivered.
These include:
- Awarding contracts based on Most Advantageous Tender, rather than Most Economically Advantageous Tender, so clients no longer feel obliged to but at lowest cost.
- A simpler regulatory framework.
- A new Unit and Oversight Panel to support the commercial capability of contracting authorities.
- Simplification of procurement routes to: Flexible, Open or Limited.
- Strengthened supplier criteria and transparency requirements.
- Roll out of public sector Dynamic Purchasing System and Open and Closed Frameworks.
Commenting, Director of External Affairs, Marie-Claude Hemming said: “CECA welcomes the proposals outlined in the Green Paper, which offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to radically improve public sector procurement driving innovation and cost efficiencies for all.
“We recognise that these changes will apply to the entirety of the public sector, and as such, seek some clarification as to how they will apply to construction, building upon the strong foundations of the recently published Construction Playbook and the establishment of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.
“We are keen to work with Government to ensure the new procurement routes will support the construction industry. We welcome the proposed Competitive Flexible Procedure, but seek further detail as to how it will be implemented.
“Our members are especially concerned about proposals for an unlimited numbers of bidders – as is intrinsic with the open procedure – which is inappropriate for construction procurements because they tend to incur significant costs. In most cases, a restricted procedure is preferred.”
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