Availability of advisory and operational support

A regularly updated collection of solutions to the most common practical problems faced by practitioners is available online

Review of websites for information to verify the availability of the collection of solutions to the most common practical problems. The collection of solutions should be updated at least twice a year.

A mechanism is in place to co-ordinate the interpretation of public procurement legislation between the key institutions involved

Review of administrative data to verify the existence of the mechanism to co-ordinate the interpretation of public procurement legislation between the key institutions involved. The mechanism is considered to exist if institutions involved co-operate in any of the following modalities: holding regular (for example, semi-annual) co-ordination meetings to facilitate effective communication and collaboration among the institutions; organising joint tailor-made training events focused on enhancing the understanding of the legal framework and promoting best practices in practical implementation; preparation of an annual overview highlighting the most significant challenges within the public procurement system, serving as a basis for targeted actions and improvements; preparation of action points to follow-up joint activities; providing problem-solving support on specific legal or practical issues, offering expertise and guidance to overcome obstacles and improve the system.

Contracting authorities and economic operators that find the advice provided helpful (%)

Analysis of survey responses from a sample of contracting authorities and businesses that had requested advice or other support in the past three years to the following question: “Were the answers provided generally helpful?” Answer options are: No, Somewhat, Yes, Do not know. Equal weight is given to both groups when calculating the average. Points are allocated based on the percentage of respondents who replied “Somewhat” and “Yes” to the survey question (x): • x < 10% = 0 points. • 10% ≤ x < 90% = linear function. • x ≥ 90% = 3 points.

Available manuals and/or guidelines cover all relevant stages of the procurement process

Review of manuals and/or guidelines. The relevant stages of the procurement process are market analysis, budgeting, design of contract documentation, choice of contracting strategy and tendering method, determination of selection and award criteria, evaluation of tenders, and award and management of contracts.

Available manuals and/or guidelines provide detailed explanations and practical examples

Review of manuals and/or guidelines.

The guidelines and/or manuals cover the specificities of procurement for key sectors

Review of manuals and/or guidelines. The key sectors of procurement can include: health, road construction and maintenance, IT supplies and services.

The guidelines and/or manuals are up to date

Review of manuals and/or guidelines. Manuals and/or guidelines are considered to be up to date if they are issued, amended or adjusted to be in line with laws and regulations in force.

Contracting authorities and economic operators that find the guidelines and manuals useful (%)

Analysis of survey responses from a sample of contracting authorities and businesses that had used the guidelines/manuals in the past three years to the following question: “In general, how useful were the guidelines and manuals you used for solving your practical problems?” Answer options are: 5 - Not at all useful, 2, 3, 4, 5 - Extremely useful, Do not know. Equal weight is given to both groups when calculating the average. Points are allocated based on the percentage of respondents who replied “4” and “5 - Extremely useful” to the survey question (x): • x < 10% = 0 points. • 10% ≤ x < 90% = linear function. • x ≥ 90% = 3 points.

Standard forms for the key elements of the procurement procedure are in place

Review of standard forms (contract notice, tender documents, standard self-declaration, standard tender form, evaluation form, contract award notice, model contract conditions).

Available standard forms provide detailed explanations and practical examples

Review of standard forms (contract notice, tender documents, standard self-declaration, standard tender form, evaluation form, contract award notice, model contract conditions).

The standard forms are up to date

Review of standard forms. Standard forms are considered to be up to date if they are issued, amended or adjusted to be in line with laws and regulations in force.

Contracting authorities and economic operators that find the standard forms useful (%)

Analysis of survey responses from a sample of contracting authorities and businesses that had used the standard forms/models in the past three years to the following question: “How would you rate the usefulness of the standard forms or models provided by [NAME OF THE PPO]?” Answer options are: 1 - Not at all useful, 2, 3, 4, 5 - Extremely useful, Do not know. Equal weight is given to both groups when calculating the average. Points are allocated based on the percentage of respondents who replied “4” and “5 - Extremely useful” to the survey question (x): • x < 10% = 0 points. • 10% ≤ x < 90% = linear function. • x ≥ 90% = 3 points.