Public procurement

10.4.2017

Question for written answer E-002603-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Mairead McGuinness (PPE)

Three directives have updated the public procurement framework, and provide for the best value for money for public purchases and for respect of transparency and competition.

Some recent examples seem to suggest that public procurement rules are not always applied in full, in particular as regards the market for maintenance of expensive medical devices for diagnostic imagery (e.g. MRI and CT scanners).

In some cases, the wording of the public tendering award criteria does not seem to respect the principle of impartiality or neutrality, largely favouring bids from a particular group of providers over equally qualified third-party maintenance (TPM) service providers. Competition does not play its full role.

As a result, public authorities are overspending, despite calls to ensure cost reductions in the current context of cutbacks to public funding of healthcare.

1. Is the Commission ensuring a level playing field in the maintenance services?

2. Would the Commission consider examining the issue in question so as to ensure the proper application of EU procurement rules?