Overall effort to contribute to improved supply

New opportunities for public procurement

The Danish Public Procurement Act entered into force on 1 January 2016 and contains a number of new elements. Among the main changes are:

• The bill brings together a number of rules in one act and, through the explanatory notes, helps improve understanding of the rules

• The rules help reduce the costs associated with tenders for both the public sector and private companies.

• A significantly broader access to the use of flexible procurement procedures which support dialogue and negotiation is provided, as is the option of using the brand-new tender procedure for innovation partnerships.

• The rules of the Danish Tender Act regarding minor purchases of goods and services are replaced by a simpler set of rules with a requirement that the public authority must ensure that the purchase is carried out on market terms.

• The framework for SMEs to participate in public tenders is improved.

• Documentation expenses for companies have been reduced.

About The Better Tenders (“Bedre Udbud”) Campaign

• Bedreudbud.dk is part of the Competition and Consumer Authority’s guidance efforts for the new Danish Public Procurement Act. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the new Act and provide inspiration for using the new opportunities provided for in the Act.

• Behind the campaign are a number of organisations representing both procuring entities and suppliers. The partners have come together with the common goal of ensuring that the new Danish Public Procurement Act gives rise to a better tender culture in Denmark.

• In addition to the Competition and Consumer Authority, the following organisations are involved: The Danish Construction Association, the Danish Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of Danish Industry, Danish Regions, the Association of Public Procurers (Foreningen af offentlige indkøbere, IKA), SMEdenmark, Local Government Denmark (KL), the Agency for Modernisation - Ministry of Finance, and SKI.

• On bedreudbud.dk, you can get an overview of the opportunities provided for in the new Danish Public Procurement Act, and find guidance and practical tools to help you complete your tender. The website will be updated regularly as new guidelines are issued by the Competition and Consumer Authority.