15082023

EIC publishes new Toolkit for Sustainable Infrastructure Procurement

Two weeks ahead of a fundamental policy shift of the World Bank, which has announced to require as of 1st September 2023 the use of Rated Criteria as the default approach for most international procurements, EIC has published a new ‘Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Toolkit for the Procurement of Sustainable Infrastructure’.

In close collaboration with its colleagues from the European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (EFCA), EIC has developed a step-by-step guide which is intended to support the procurement staff of the Multilateral and Bilateral Development Banks, their Borrowers and the individual Implementing Agencies and Contracting Authorities to incorporate quality, technical and sustainability (QTS) criteria in their large infrastructure tenders both for works and consulting services and to select the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) instead of the lowest evaluated bid.

To facilitate such ‘game changer for promoting value in procurement’, as proclaimed by the World Bank, the SOP & Toolkit introduces a comprehensive tender evaluation system for assessing non-price criteria in a two-envelope procedure to identify the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). With this document, EIC and EFCA wish to support the Multilateral and Bilateral Development Banks in their aspiration to ensure the responsible international procurement and sustainable implementation of large civil works.

The principal target of the proposed procurement system are the works components (with design provided by the Contracting Authority) of a value of no less than €50 million. For such large (and often complex) types of works, EIC and EFCA believe that a more strategic approach to procurement, promoting integration of the pillars of sustainable development, environmental protection, and quality institutional governance, presents an added value for international financiers, public clients, private economic operators (bidders), and society at large.

EIC looks forward to discussing its proposal with the Multilateral and Bilateral Development Banks after the summer break.