- Intermediate *6 hours CPD
In March 2004, the Community adopted a new procurement directive (2004/18/EC) which was intended to simplify and modernise the existing secondary legislation relating to public procurement. This will be adopted in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the Public Contracts Regulations 2006, which came into force on 31 January 2006. This course will provide an overview of the directive and regulations, focussing on those areas which are likely to have a practical impact on UK procurement practice, and will cover:
Context
- Which authorities are covered by the rules?
- Exclusions and new coverage by telecommunications
- Recent case law on procurement
- The importance of Treaty rules
- Implementation of the new rules - impact on existing procurement exercises
Choosing the Right Process
- The thresholds
- Competitive dialogue and complex projects
- Framework agreements and dynamic purchasing systems
- Central purchasing bodies and joint procurement activity
Changes to the Tendering Process
- Advertising
- Electronic procurement
- Reverse tender auctions
- Specifications
- Selection and award procedure
Documentation and Remedies
- Variant bids and sub-contracts
- Secondary policies in selection and award
- Contractual obligations relating to employment and the environment
- Mandatory de-briefs and standstill periods
- Confidentiality and the impact of the Freedom of Information Act
- Enforcement of obligations
- Changes to the EU procurement thresholds
- The amended Procurement Remedies Directive