Romania To Amend Public Procurement Legislation To Speed Up Procedures, Hinder Abusive Challenges

The amendments have been sent to the European Commission for information purposes and the Government will pass a decree introducing the changes in the upcoming period, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX Tuesday.

"Auction contestation procedures will be changed so that bidders don't abuse challenges and halt the public procurement process. Basically, bidders will be allowed to contest a public auction until the procedure is finished and a new auction may be held, or the contracted works may start right away," the sources said, adding bidders may contest public auctions within ten days of when the auction procedure is completed.

The new public procurement rules Romania is considering also shorten settlement periods to ten days instead of 20, unless additional documents are required for the process. Currently, auction settlement may take up to 30 days, during which time public procurement procedures are suspended.

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said in February the Government would amend public procurement legislation to shorten auction procedures and hinder abusive challenges in court that block public works.

The country's auction settlement authority received 9,218 challenges last year, 41% more than in 2008.

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