"The Public Procurement Gazette" Newsletter Issues

100 days of public procurement notifications under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (18/01/2024)

The notification obligations for high-value public procurements under the Foreign subsidies Regulation (FSR) began 100 days ago, on 12 October 2023.

In the area of public procurement, subsidies from third countries can give the recipients an unfair advantage in obtaining public contracts in the EU. The FSR therefore allows the European Commission to investigate financial contributions granted by non-EU countries to companies active in the EU, to ensure fair and undistorted market conditions.

The European Commission has so far received more than 100 submissions (meaning notifications, or declarations that there is nothing to notify). However, there is still a need to spread awareness of the FSR, and of the roles and obligations of economic operators and contracting authorities.

Read the full article for a thorough understanding of the FSR’s implications in public procurement.

Recording – ‘Innovation and Sustainability in Transition’ (09/01/2024)

A new webinar series by the EU-funded SAPIENS Network explores research impacts on everyday life, fostering public understanding of sustainable public procurement.

Foreword (08/01/2024)

Dear Public Buyers Community,

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2024! As we embark on this promising year, filled with innovation and collaboration, we’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your active participation on the platform since its launch in April 2023.

Here’s to a Fruitful Procurement Year 2024, brimming with inspiration, new connections, and successful endeavours that advance public procurement practices across Europe!

Unlocking global opportunities in public procurement for European SMEs (08/01/2024)

The EU’s initiative spans six projects across 14 non-EU countries in diverse sectors, showing promising success in international markets for SMEs.

CircularPSP introduces new tender for Circular Economy solutions for cities (11/01/2024)

Developed collaboratively by 8 leading circular cities, the tender invites suppliers to develop innovative solutions that drive circular practices in municipalities and local businesses.

New webinar series launched on Common Assessment Methods for Standards and Specifications (CAMSS) (09/01/2024)

CAMSS, a cornerstone of the Digital Europe Programme, serves as a guide for public authorities in eGovernment projects, aiding decisions and streamlining standards for interoperability.

Join the survey on Socially Responsible Public Procurement (SRPP) training (08/01/2024)

The European Commission’s survey aims to shape SRPP training and awareness initiatives across the EU.

Big Buyers Working Together launch Community of Practice on Circular Construction (08/01/2024)

Expanding on the success of the previous phase, this newly established CoP aims to reshape the industry, focusing on sustainability, materials reuse, and innovative business models, among other topics.

Driving social change: 71 good practice cases now available in all EU languages (08/01/2024)

Explore 71 real-world cases where European public buyers leverage Socially Responsible Public Procurement (SRPP) to promote employment, inclusivity, ethical trade, and sustainable development.

Big Buyers Working Together launch new Community of Practice on Heavy Duty Electric Vehicles (HDEV) (08/01/2024)

Let’s welcome the latest addition to the Public Buyers Platform! Discover more about the community’s commitment to a greener EU through the procurement of HDEVs.

Innovation Procurement as a catalyst for the uptake of security research outcomes (14/12/2023)

Register for the next EAFIP Webinar on 14 December to gain insights into the ways Innovation Procurement can help expedite digital transformation and improve citizen security.

Value-Based Procurement CoP Annual Conference (11/12/2023)

Join the fifth edition of the European Value-Based Procurement Conference, themed ‘Navigating VBP challenges and reaching the destination: from awareness to application’, on 11 December 2023, 10:00-17:00 CET.

Public procurement thresholds published for 2024-2025 (06/12/2023)

The EU has revised procurement thresholds for 2024-2025, aligning them with World Trade Organization guidelines to adjust for currency fluctuations between the Euro and Special Drawing Rights. The new thresholds will be effective from 1 January 2024.

PPE Alumni Network (07/12/2023)

The PPE Alumni Network, born from the EU co-funded Public Procurement Excellence Programme (PPE), is a Community of Practice exclusively for its alumni. Comprising professionals who have completed the programme along with trainers and lecturers, this network brings together diverse expertise crucial to the field of public procurement.

Horizon Europe: EUR 19 million funding for climate services’ procurement (06/12/2023)

Apply by 28 February 2024 for the PROTECT project’s initiative to boost the uptake and use of climate services by public authorities through pre-commercial procurement.

Tackling healthcare challenges through a synergistic application of HTA and PPI (07/12/2023)

EcoQUIP+ hosted an impactful workshop at the EHMA Annual Conference, spotlighting how Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) tackle complex healthcare challenges. Explore the workshop summary for more details.

European Court of Auditors’ report on public procurement in the EU (06/12/2023)

Published 4 December, the ECA’s report on EU public procurement notes decreased competition between 2011 and 2021, presenting four recommendations for the Commission to address this issue.

Co-creation session on the Public Procurement Data Space (14/12/2023)

On 14 December, the European Commission is hosting the first in a new cycle of online co-creation workshops. Stakeholders will discover the PPDS Website, PPDS Pilot, and the innovative PPDS GitLab for enhanced collaboration.

Public Procurement Data Space: state of play (06/12/2023)

The Public Procurement Data Space (PPDS) will integrate and centralise EU-level procurement data, and connect all national portals, merging historical EU data and expanding analytical capabilities. Read more about the progress to date.

Launch of the EcoQUIP+ final case-study-based report (12/01/2024)

EcoQUIP+ aimed to showcase how strategic procurement can improve EU healthcare. On 12 January 2024, the project will unveil its final publication, featuring six real-world study cases, followed by an interactive panel discussion. 

The Procurement Dialogues join the Public Buyers Community Platform (06/12/2023)

We are thrilled to present our new community of practice: European Commission-led workshops fostering dialogue across 27 Member States on green, social, innovative public procurement for a sustainable economy.

Big Buyers Working Together to launch new community on sustainable solar panels (06/12/2023)

The BBWT project gears up to introduce a Community of Practice centred on sustainable solar panels, marking the second out of ten communities supported by the initiative.

Presentation of Procurement Clauses of AI at #ADRF2023 (09/11/2023)

Join the AI, Data, and Robotics Forum workshop on 9 November to learn more about the clauses, discuss EU-level adoption, and explore challenges and opportunities for public authorities and businesses.

Webinar on ‘Social and environmental considerations and the link with the subject matter’ (12/12/2023)

Register to attend the European Commission’s fourth Green Public Procurement (GPP) Helpdesk webinar.

Model AI clauses now available in all EU languages! (31/10/2023)

The ‘EU model contractual AI clauses to pilot in procurements of AI’, developed by the Procurement of AI community, have been translated into all 24 EU languages and published on the Public Buyers Community platform.

BIM and Public Procurement (31/10/2023)

In an era where technology is increasingly reshaping the way we build and manage our infrastructure, one Community of Practice is committed to becoming the focal point for the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) practices in public procurement across Europe.

Discover the Public Sector Tech Watch (31/10/2023)

If you’re procuring an AI-based solution, whether for pilot or operational use, you can showcase your initiative on the Public Sector Tech Watch, a knowledge hub managed by the European Commission.

Strategic Procurement Dialogues: state of play (31/10/2023)

This European Commission initiative, featuring workshops in EU Member States, is fostering vital dialogues on harnessing public procurement to achieve green, social, and innovation policy objectives.

New study examines the social impact of public procurement (31/10/2023)

Commissioned by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL Committee), the study delves into Directive 2014/24/EU and how public procurement can drive social change.

Welcoming our new Community of Practice: Zero Emission Construction Sites (31/10/2023)

The Big Buyers Working Together (BBWT) project is excited to introduce the first community among the ten planned under its initiative and to be hosted on the Public Buyers Community platform!

New infographic presents the Public Buyers Community Platform (03/10/2023)

Discover the Public Buyers Community Platform’s key aims, sections, and progress with our brand-new infographic – and help spread the word within your own network!

Procurement Clauses of AI finalised (03/10/2023)

The feedback from the peer review has been processed, and the newly adjusted pilot clauses are ready for use by contracting authorities.

Needs Assessment Survey: launching Phase 2 (03/10/2023)

The Needs Assessment (NA) Survey of the Big Buyers Working Together (BBWT) Project concluded on 31 August, after a three-month period during which Public Buyers from Europe had the opportunity to express their needs and recommendations.

Foreign Subsidies Implementing Regulation: notification obligations effective from October (03/10/2023)

The obligations under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation to notify all granted foreign financial contributions will apply from 12 October 2023.

InnoBuyer Open Market Consultation Sessions: registrations now open (04/10/2023)

The EU-funded InnoBuyer project has unveiled a lineup of 15 online Open Market Consultation Sessions designed specifically for SMEs working on innovative solutions.

European Commission approves new Regulation to replace Current Late Payment Directive (04/10/2023)

In September, the Commission officially adopted a new proposal for the European Parliament and the Council’s Late Payment Regulation, aimed at addressing late payment issues in commercial transactions.

PROCURE4HEALTH launches call for Twinnings (05/10/2023)

Public and private healthcare procurers will have a funded opportunity to learn about or adopt innovative solutions, procurement techniques or similar related matters available in other sectors.

Impactful Innovation Conference (15/11/2023)

Find out more and register for the upcoming Impactful Innovation Conference, in Murcia, Spain, focusing on ensuring the successful integration of innovations.

Recording – EU Clusters Talks. Innovation procurement: How to best match demands and solutions (05/10/2023)

Spearheaded by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, September’s EU Clusters Talk focused on leveraging public procurement to drive the development of innovative solutions by SMEs. To watch the video recordings and for more information, click below.

Central Purchasing Bodies (CPB) Network (05/10/2023)

The CPB Network is a community of 21 CPBs from 20 European nations, including both EU Member States and EEA countries. By harnessing the power of the Public Buyers Community platform, it facilitates its members’ exchange of information, best practices, and progress on shared interests.

Network of Public Procurement Review Bodies of South-Eastern Europe (01/09/2023)

Review bodies play a vital role in public procurement by ensuring transparency, fairness and compliance with procurement regulations and laws. Leading by example, one Community of Practice is collaborating to enhance accountability and integrity in public procurement.

Read the article to find out more about the Network of Public Procurement Review Bodies of South-Eastern Europe.

Recording – Innovation procurement as a vehicle to address healthcare challenges (01/09/2023)

The final webinar in the health procurement series discussed how public procurement of innovation addresses health challenges, including implantable pacemaker treatments and antimicrobial resistance control. To watch the video recordings and for more information, click below.

Foreign Subsidy Regulation (FSR): Q&A on public procurement (31/08/2023)

Discover useful answers to your procurement questions in the context of the FSR, which is tackling internal market distortions caused by foreign subsidies.

InnoBuyer fast-tracks innovation for 15 organisations (31/08/2023)

To empower demand-driven procurement, the EU-funded project’s winners will create innovative solutions jointly with SMEs.

EPREL: the tool changing public procurement (01/09/2023)

Discover EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labelling), the comprehensive database of energy-labeled product models promoting energy efficiency and informed procurement practices.

Innovation partnerships (IPs) on artificial intelligence (01/09/2023)

Studying AI-related IPs offers insights into future trends and potential challenges, facilitating the procurement of original solutions.

Reviewing the functioning of the Concession Directive: main findings published (01/09/2023)

Read the European Commission’s official report on the functioning of Directive 2014/23/EU3, published on 28 July.

Survey launched on driving innovative public procurement (01/09/2023)

Participate to let us know how living labs and incubators can make public procurement more accessible to SMEs and startups across the EEA.

Call for CPBs and Public Buyers: Strategic Procurement Training (03/07/2023)

This call for tenders is divided into two lots: Lot 1 concerns strategic procurement training for public buyers; Lot 2 covers SME-friendly strategic procurement training for central purchasing bodies (CPBs). Click below to access the call.

Recording – Contract clauses for the procurement of AI: roundtables (03/07/2023)

Following the publication of the draft procurement clauses on AI for local authorities on the Public Buyers Community Platform, over 40 experts with legal, industry, technical, procurement, and ethics backgrounds gathered to review them in two sessions, on 25 May and 7 June respectively. To watch the video recordings and for more information, click below.

New brochure for start-ups unlocks public procurement opportunities (30/06/2023)

An essential companion to public procurement, the European Commission’s new brochure will empower start-ups to expand their business effectively by navigating the public procurement market and establishing connections with public buyers. It is available in all EU languages.

Foreword (30/06/2023)

Summer has arrived, yet the Public Buyers Community remains active! The latest edition of the Gazette aims to help you stay informed about the resources, calls, webinars, and other updates for July and August. Explore the sections below and stay tuned to the platform for more.

Due to technical issues, online registration is temporarily unavailable. If you’re interested in joining the platform, please reach out to us via email at: GROW-INNOVATIONPROCUREMENT@ec.europa.eu

Community of the Circular and Fair ICT Pact (03/07/2023)

Are you wondering what sustainable procurement in the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector looks like? Join the Community of the Circular and Fair ICT Pact on the Public Buyers Community platform.

EU GPP Helpdesk launches new website (30/06/2023)

The EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) Helpdesk’s website has a new look! Dedicated to promoting GPP by offering answers, up-to-date information, and resources to stakeholders, the website is now featured among DG Environment’s Green Business initiatives. Discover how to submit a query, voluntary GPP criteria, recent news, upcoming events and webinars, good practices... and more!

Big Buyers Working Together: Needs Assessment deadline extended (30/06/2023)

To give more public buyers an opportunity to voice their needs and recommendations, the deadline of the Needs Assessment Survey has been extended.

A comprehensive overview of Innovation Partnerships (30/06/2023)

Read the findings shedding light on the use of Innovation Partnerships (IPs) under the EC Public Procurement Directives (classic & utilities), based on data extracted from the TED database (2016–2022).

Recording – EC GPP Helpdesk Webinar: “How to choose the appropriate social clauses in tendering procedures” (03/07/2023)

The second webinar organised by the European Commission’s Helpdesk service on Green Public Procurement (GPP) was held on 15 June 2023. Experts analysed the current use of social considerations in tenders, the most used types of social clauses and explained during which stage of the procurement cycle such criteria are applied. To watch the video recording and for more information, click below.

Procurement of AI (01/06/2023)

Let’s unlock the full potential of AI-enabled solutions to improve public services in a trustworthy, fair and secure way! The fast-growing Procurement of AI community is bringing together public buyers, suppliers and academics to demystify the procurement of AI.

Big Buyers Working Together: project launched with kick-off webinar and Needs Assessment Survey (31/05/2023)

Let us welcome the Big Buyers Working Together project! As announced during the official online kick-off on 25 May, the project has released a comprehensive survey as the initial step of the multistage Needs Assessment.

European Innovation Procurement Awards 2023: open for applications (31/05/2023)

Applications are now open for the third edition of the European Innovation Procurement Awards (EUIPA)! Submit yours here until 17 August 2023 (17:00:00 CEST).

GPP Helpdesk: How to choose the most appropriate social clauses for tenders (15/06/2023)

The upcoming Green Public Procurement (GPP) webinar will focus on social clauses within tendering procedures, examining their current implementation and assessing the prevalent types of social clauses used throughout the procurement cycle.

Foreword (31/05/2023)

Following the significant response to the launch of the Public Buyers Community Platform, our entire DG GROW team would like to extend a big “Thank you!” to the new and long-standing subscribers who are actively contributing towards the achievement of our collective goals. With over 450 members registered and participation to the Communities of Practice expanding, the platform has become a hub of activity that can only flourish going forward as ties and synergies grow stronger.

We invite you to scroll through this newsletter for public procurement updates, resources, training opportunities, and more – delivered from the platform straight to your virtual door!

Don’t miss the new In the Spotlight section: each month, the newsletter will feature one of the Communities of Practice hosted on the Public Buyers Community Platform to introduce its aims and activities.

Recording – Procure4Health Webinar: The Process of Innovation Procurement (18/05/2023)

The webinar held on 18 May emphasised the significance of Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) as a methodology that introduces new market opportunities for emerging innovative products, and fosters collaboration between start-ups and established companies.

Recording – Webinar to introduce the Strategic Procurement Dialogues (11/05/2023)

On 11 May 2023, over 150 participants attended an online session hosted by PwC and ICLEI for DG GROW’s project titled “Organisation of workshops in the 27 Member States to develop a dialogue on the use of strategic public procurement (green, social and innovation)”.

Open Market Consultation by CircularPSP project (01/06/2023)

The CircularPSP (Public Service Platforms for Circular, Innovative and Resilient Municipalities) project is actively approaching the market to gain insight into the state of play as well as future developments for successful procurement.

How do start-ups fit in? A new brochure guides public buyers (31/05/2023)

Available in all EU languages, this brochure from the European Commission guides public buyers through the benefits of collaborating to modernise public services for citizens and businesses with the main contenders of the innovation ecosystem: start-ups. Platform members are encouraged to peruse the brochure and launch a new discussion inviting their peers’ contributions to the topic.

International Procurement Instrument (IPI) publishes new guidelines (31/05/2023)

The guidelines issued by the EU International Procurement Instrument (IPI) are designed to streamline the application of the IPI Regulation by contracting authorities and contracting entities as well as by economic operators.

Big Buyers Working Together (26/04/2023)

In March 2023, the Big Buyers Working Together project was launched to further support public buyers with the establishment of 10 new communities of practice. Public buyers will be consulted to identify unmet public procurement needs that should be addressed by the new communities. Once established, they will be hosted on the Public Buyers Community Platform.

The Public Buyers Community Platform (25/04/2023)

DG GROW is proud to announce the official launch of the Public Buyers Community Platform.

This brand-new digital space is dedicated to facilitating cooperation and knowledge sharing between public buyers across the European Union.

Procurement Dialogues: “Organisation of workshops in the 27 Member States to develop a dialogue on the use of strategic public procurement (green, social and innovation)” (11/05/2023)

Join our introductory webinar to learn about DG GROW’s latest initiative. The project’s workshops will serve as platforms for communication between all 27 Member States to help them understand how each uses public procurement strategically and identify existing barriers and potential solutions.

Foreword (25/04/2023)

Welcome to the revamped Public Procurement Gazette!

The updated design of our newsletter is intended to complement the launch of the Public Buyers Community Platform, our new and dynamic digital asset for EU public procurement.

The Public Procurement Gazette will continue to bring you the latest on the procurement sector directly from the European Commission. In addition to DG GROW’s regular updates, the newsletter will now also feature activities, resources, and events from all communities hosted on the platform.

Our Communities of Practice (25/04/2023)

Becoming a platform member is easy: sign up by using your existing EU Login/ECAS credentials or create a new account. Once you have completed your member profile, browse our dedicated communities of practice to find and join one (or more!) that align with your procurement interests.

EcoQUIP Plus: Innovation procurement as a vehicle to address healthcare challenges (16/05/2023)

In the sixth of EcoQUIP Plus’s series of webinars for health managers, the panellists, Sofía Moreno Pérez (RITMOCORE project) and Ion Arrizabalaga Garde (RaDAR project), will discuss the role of Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) in addressing current healthcare challenges such as the treatment of patients using, or in need of, an implantable pacemaker, and the necessity of effective infection control systems for antimicrobial resistance.