Public Procurement: what are the advantages of a procedure?

Public Procurement procedures can be time-consuming, costly and not without risk. But what about the benefits? An overview with one of our specialists in the field, Grégoire Mottier.

Submitting construction projects or purchases of Services and supplies in compliance with Public Procurement rules can offer many added benefits applicable to all public authorities and other contracting entities. Here, we offer you an overview of the positive points associated with this type of procedure, which is all too often perceived as a purely restrictive element.

The advantages of a Public Procurement procedure

Here are the various positive elements of such a procedure that we have been able to identify. Please note that these points are mentioned without any particular ranking or claim to exhaustiveness:

Transparency and equal treatment

The process guarantees transparency and equal treatment in purchasing decisions, and avoids any suspicion of favoritism or corruption. Publishing all the “rules of the game” in advance is the best way to avoid a simple continuation of repeated purchases that would favor a particular partner.

Increased competition

Opening an invitation to tender to several Suppliers stimulates competition and potentially leads to better Tenders. This is particularly true when using an “open” procedure with publication on the SIMAP.CH platform. The uncertainty shared by all bidders as to the outcome of the tender is clearly conducive to optimizing the services purchased, whether in terms of price or quality. As a result, the goal of economic efficiency in Public Procurement will more often than not be achieved, provided that the tender documents (specifications and administrative conditions) are well put together.

Image enhancement

Compliance with Public Procurement rules demonstrates a commitment to responsible and ethical management. In a context where criteria that value Tenders that respect aspects linked to the notions of sustainable development are topical, a public procurement contract will provide concrete proof of a real desire to make responsible purchases and carry out projects in line with these values.

Greater diversity of service providers

A public procurement contract provides access to a diversified network of suppliers, breaking with what are sometimes long-established purchasing habits, and encouraging the emergence of new partnerships. At the same time, a decline in quality is often observed at the end of the contract period. Questioning a service is also an effective tool in this respect, either to find a better provider, or to encourage the existing partner to improve its Tender from an economic or qualitative point of view.

Risk management

Public Procurement processes often include Evaluation criteria to minimize risk by selecting reliable partners. These criteria cover not only qualitative aspects, but also aspects relating to the solvency and financial sustainability of bidders. In this respect, we strongly recommend that, during the preparation phase of an invitation to tender, a formal identification of the risks associated with a procedure is carried out (risks of Review procedure and consequences, risks associated with the drafting of specifications and many others). Tackled in a non-anxiety-inducing way, this approach will enable you to better anticipate any undesirable situation, and is also of great importance in safeguarding the image of stakeholders/organizers within a public authority or other entity subject to Public Procurement.

Independence and protection

Last but not least, the transparency surrounding the execution of a procedure protects the main organizing stakeholders against internal pressure to favor a particular company, or against external pressure due to personal or political ties, for example. In these situations, the choice to act within the framework of a Public Procurement will be a simple and ideal response requiring no other form of justification. In conclusion, by following these rules, everyone contributes to preserving the integrity of public purchasing processes and reinforcing public confidence. Applying these procedures means that we can work calmly, free from any subjective pressure, and guarantee optimal choices for the benefit of all stakeholders, including the citizen-taxpayer.

Contact us!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our specialists:

Grégoire Mottier: gmottier@loyco.ch
Jérôme Frachebourg: jfrachebourg@loyco.ch
Christel Fontaine: cfontaine@loyco.ch
Loris Valldeperez: lvalldeperez@loyco.ch