No need for a new information authority for procurement

It would be expensive to set up another authority to provide information about public procurement and this would not be a suitable way of achieving the desired objective: more efficient support for procurers and suppliers. The Swedish Competition Authority is the best adapted government authority for providing information about the procurement rules and their application.

“Contracting authorities/entities and suppliers need one strong authority that can meet the needs of the interested parties, not a fragmented authority structure,” says Dan Sjöblom, Director-General of the Swedish Competition Authority, in his comments on the Swedish Competition Authority's statement regarding the report Upphandlingsstödets framtid [The future of procurement support] which has now been submitted to the Swedish Government.

“The Swedish Competition Authority is the best adapted authority for this assignment.”

Suppliers and procurers who are seeking information about tricky issues relating to, for example, how to interpret the Act should receive this from a body that has the capacity and competence to take on this responsibility. Receiving information that later transpires to be incorrect may have major consequences resulting in procurements being implemented incorrectly, reviews, and fines (procurement fines).

Setting up a new authority is expensive. Coordination within one existing authority would ensure the effective use of functions. This applies not only to administrative systems, but also the provision of skills and development of staff.

“It is easier to employ competent staff for one organisation that has overall responsibility for procurement issues than one with a limited responsibility for information.

The Swedish Competition Authority emphasises that gathering procurement support in the future at the Swedish Competition Authority also means that several troublesome difficulties in defining boundaries can be avoided.

For additional information, please contact:
Peter Delden, Head of Department, tel. +46 (0)8-700 16 34
or +46 (0)76-542 16 34
Kerstin Riese, Senior Communication Officer, tel. (0)8-700 16 58
or +46 (0)76-542 16 58