Public Procurement

Increased contracting out of services to the private sector brings up one of the pivotal issues in the field: whereas within Member States, governments have set up social markets where there is competition between providers for high quality and innovative services, at EU level, social services – defined as an economic activity – have to operate under EU rules on competition and internal market.

 

EU public procurement law sets out the rules under which these types of contracts must be tendered and awarded. The rules play an important role in ensuring the quality, accessibility and affordability of social services. 

 

Social Services Europe opposes the awarding of public services contracts to the “lowest cost” tender. Contracting authorities should aim for “best value” in procurement policy. This is achieved by basing the awarding on the broadly most advantageous combination of cost, quality and sustainability considerations.