The Senate has approved the draft law on procurement reform. The Hall of Palazzo Madama expressed itself with 184 votes in favour, two against and 42 abstentions. The text now passes to the House. The Government delegated decree must be passed within six months of the entry into force of the law. The ultimate goal is to launch a new public procurement and concession code to reduce and rationalize sector regulations, increase transparency and fight corruption.
Here are some of news coming soon:
– cut of the contracting stations;
– introduction of the criterion of the most economically advantageous offer, overcoming the use of the maximum discount;
– more transparency and protection at the level of subcontracting;
– squeeze on the derogating procedures for awarding contracts and on variations during construction;
– direction and supervisory role for the Anac;
– public debate in the territories concerned;
– public tender procedures for awarding motorway concessions with transitional regulations for those close to expiry;
– extension of forms of public-private partnership;
– awards for companies both on the basis of reputational criteria, but also to favor those who denounce extortion requests, to encourage the participation of SMEs and the use of local labour;
– stop the possibility for the general contractor to assume the role of supervisor or project manager from the moment the law comes into force.
During the examination, both in the commission and in the plenary, amendments approved by all political parties were accepted. One point on which the 5 Star Movement remains clearly opposed is the exclusion of subjects holding project financing concessions from the obligation to award works, services and supplies with tenders.
The go-ahead that arrived today "is the first step in a real turning point in our public works system, which brings simplification, legality and certainty in execution", commented the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Graziano Delrio.
