From 1 January 2010, the review procedures for awarding public contracts in the Czech Republic have been improved.

There are also new measures to make procurement procedures more transparent and less formal.

The changes apply to all public procurement tenders initiated in 2010 and affect contracting authorities, contractors and the competition authority (the Office for the Protection of Competition).

Key changes include:

  • the introduction of a black list for businesses providing untrue information or qualification documents to the contracting authority. Blacklisting involves a ban on participating in public tenders for 3 years and a fine of up to CZK 10 million may also be imposed
  • the right for the competition authority to prohibit fulfilment of a public contract concluded without a public procurement tender
  • the introduction of deadlines in the tender procedure, such as a deadline of five days after the bid submission date for objections against tender rules
  • the extension of the right for contracting authorities to clarify information and documents evidencing the necessary qualifications
  • the introduction of an appeal procedure after the contract is awarded

Law: Act on Amendment to the Public Procurement Act and Other Acts (Act No. 417/2009 Coll.), Public Procurement Act (Act No. 137/2006 Coll.), Concession Act (Act No. 139/2006 Coll.); Directive 2007/66/EC

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The original publication date for this article was 09/02/2010.