The European Commission has asked EU countries for their views on plans to reform the rules surrounding the awarding of public contracts. It has now published a detailed consultation paper, which has led the Government to extend its own consultation by three weeks.
"Since the Commission’s recent consultation paper is substantially more detailed than [its initial plans], we wanted to make you aware of that detail and to offer the opportunity for further comment to anyone that so wishes," the Government told companies (3-page / 31KB PDF) in a statement.
The Commission's plans are to make public contracts more accessible to smaller companies by reducing the amount of administration related to contracts.
The Government backs the aims of the consultation, but said that action would need to be significant.
"The Government’s current view is that the public procurement regime needs to be radically simplified to reduce red tape and improve value for money," it said. "Cabinet Office is currently seeking feedback from UK stakeholders on the specific changes this will be used to inform a UK-wide response."
