Romania: Parliament approves new law on public contracts
Romania’s parliament has enacted new legislation on public procurements financed via European funds. The new laws concern the sector of public contracts and public services, concessions, and appeals regarding the awarding of contracts. The main element is the elimination of the lowest-price criterion in the selection process and the introduction of a criterion based on the “price-quality” ratio. The new strategy also shifts the focus from the procurement’s value to the cost of the entire life cycle of the acquired product or service, the concept of “value for money”. It also simplifies the contract’s regulation, flanking it with explanatory guides updated and approved by the National Agency for Public Procurement (ANAP). Significant changes were also made to the procedure to challenge with respect to the awarding of public works and/or services concessions and contracts. The new laws also added measures to modernise the organisation and running of the National Council for the Resolution of Complaints (CNSC).