New EU rules on public procurement and concession contracts

I. Foreword

The new EU public procurement directives were adopted by the European Parliament on 15 January 2014. These new rules shall replace Directive 2004/18/EC on public works, supply and service contracts and Directive 2004/17/EC on procurement in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors. Three new EU directives were approved, on (i) public sector procurement, (ii) utilities sector procurement and (iii) the procurement of works and services concessions by contracting bodies in the public and utilities sectors.II. Main goal of the new rules

The new legislation sets for the first time common EU standards on concession contracts to boost fair competition and to ensure better quality and value for money when public authorities purchase or hire works, goods or services. They also intend to make it easier for small and medium-sized firms to bid. Finally, the new rules should allow greater scope for environmental considerations, social aspects and innovation in the award of public contracts…