Events

Planned e-auctions that are later not implemented result in the highest prices SKOPJE, 21 March, 2016 – Today, the Center for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No. 14 developed for a new group of products: metal archive cabinets, coal, school chairs and occupational rubber boots. The biggest difference in prices was observed in the case of coal, while the smallest difference in prices was noted for procurement of occupational rubber boots. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following conclusions: metal archive cabinets were priced in the range from 6,476 MKD to 14,293 MKD per cabinet, where the highest price is by 121% higher than the lowest price; coal had been purchased at prices ranging from 1,652 MKD to 4,720 MKD per ton, where the highest price is by 186% higher than the lowest price; school chairs with standard dimensions were purchased at prices ranging from 505 MKD to 1,062 MKD, which means that the highest price is by 110% higher than the lowest price; and occupational rubber boots (knee-high) were purchased by utility enterprises at prices from 400 MKD to 728 MKD per pair of boots, where the highest price for this type of goods is by 82% higher than the lowest price. Attempts to develop the index of rationality for services related to cleaning of river basins could not be realized due to the inability to identify common unit that would serve as basis for comparing costs/prices for this type of services. This Report is available here. For more information,...

Planned e-auctions that are later not implemented result in the highest prices SKOPJE, 21 March, 2016 – Today, the Center for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No. 14 developed for a new group of products: metal archive cabinets, coal, school chairs and occupational rubber boots. The biggest difference in prices was observed in the case of coal, while the smallest difference in prices was noted for procurement of occupational rubber boots. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following conclusions: metal archive cabinets were priced in the range from 6,476 MKD to 14,293 MKD per cabinet, where the highest price is by 121% higher than the lowest price; coal had been purchased at prices ranging from 1,652 MKD to 4,720 MKD per ton, where the highest price is by 186% higher than the lowest price; school chairs with standard dimensions were purchased at prices ranging from 505 MKD to 1,062 MKD, which means that the highest price is by 110% higher than the lowest price; and occupational rubber boots (knee-high) were purchased by utility enterprises at prices from 400 MKD to 728 MKD per pair of boots, where the highest price for this type of goods is by 82% higher than the lowest price. Attempts to develop the index of rationality for services related to cleaning of river basins could not be realized due to the inability to identify common unit that would serve as basis for comparing costs/prices for this type of services. This Report is available here. For more information,...

Planned e-auctions that are later not implemented result in the highest prices SKOPJE, 21 March, 2016 – Today, the Center for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No. 14 developed for a new group of products: metal archive cabinets, coal, school chairs and occupational rubber boots. The biggest difference in prices was observed in the case of coal, while the smallest difference in prices was noted for procurement of occupational rubber boots. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following conclusions: metal archive cabinets were priced in the range from 6,476 MKD to 14,293 MKD per cabinet, where the highest price is by 121% higher than the lowest price; coal had been purchased at prices ranging from 1,652 MKD to 4,720 MKD per ton, where the highest price is by 186% higher than the lowest price; school chairs with standard dimensions were purchased at prices ranging from 505 MKD to 1,062 MKD, which means that the highest price is by 110% higher than the lowest price; and occupational rubber boots (knee-high) were purchased by utility enterprises at prices from 400 MKD to 728 MKD per pair of boots, where the highest price for this type of goods is by 82% higher than the lowest price. Attempts to develop the index of rationality for services related to cleaning of river basins could not be realized due to the inability to identify common unit that would serve as basis for comparing costs/prices for this type of services. This Report is available here. For more information,...

Planned e-auctions that are later not implemented result in the highest prices SKOPJE, 21 March, 2016 – Today, the Center for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No. 14 developed for a new group of products: metal archive cabinets, coal, school chairs and occupational rubber boots. The biggest difference in prices was observed in the case of coal, while the smallest difference in prices was noted for procurement of occupational rubber boots. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following conclusions: metal archive cabinets were priced in the range from 6,476 MKD to 14,293 MKD per cabinet, where the highest price is by 121% higher than the lowest price; coal had been purchased at prices ranging from 1,652 MKD to 4,720 MKD per ton, where the highest price is by 186% higher than the lowest price; school chairs with standard dimensions were purchased at prices ranging from 505 MKD to 1,062 MKD, which means that the highest price is by 110% higher than the lowest price; and occupational rubber boots (knee-high) were purchased by utility enterprises at prices from 400 MKD to 728 MKD per pair of boots, where the highest price for this type of goods is by 82% higher than the lowest price. Attempts to develop the index of rationality for services related to cleaning of river basins could not be realized due to the inability to identify common unit that would serve as basis for comparing costs/prices for this type of services. This Report is available here. For more information,...

Planned e-auctions that are later not implemented result in the highest prices SKOPJE, 21 March, 2016 – Today, the Center for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No. 14 developed for a new group of products: metal archive cabinets, coal, school chairs and occupational rubber boots. The biggest difference in prices was observed in the case of coal, while the smallest difference in prices was noted for procurement of occupational rubber boots. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following conclusions: metal archive cabinets were priced in the range from 6,476 MKD to 14,293 MKD per cabinet, where the highest price is by 121% higher than the lowest price; coal had been purchased at prices ranging from 1,652 MKD to 4,720 MKD per ton, where the highest price is by 186% higher than the lowest price; school chairs with standard dimensions were purchased at prices ranging from 505 MKD to 1,062 MKD, which means that the highest price is by 110% higher than the lowest price; and occupational rubber boots (knee-high) were purchased by utility enterprises at prices from 400 MKD to 728 MKD per pair of boots, where the highest price for this type of goods is by 82% higher than the lowest price. Attempts to develop the index of rationality for services related to cleaning of river basins could not be realized due to the inability to identify common unit that would serve as basis for comparing costs/prices for this type of services. This Report is available here. For more information,...

Planned e-auctions that are later not implemented result in the highest prices SKOPJE, 21 March, 2016 – Today, the Center for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No. 14 developed for a new group of products: metal archive cabinets, coal, school chairs and occupational rubber boots. The biggest difference in prices was observed in the case of coal, while the smallest difference in prices was noted for procurement of occupational rubber boots. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following conclusions: metal archive cabinets were priced in the range from 6,476 MKD to 14,293 MKD per cabinet, where the highest price is by 121% higher than the lowest price; coal had been purchased at prices ranging from 1,652 MKD to 4,720 MKD per ton, where the highest price is by 186% higher than the lowest price; school chairs with standard dimensions were purchased at prices ranging from 505 MKD to 1,062 MKD, which means that the highest price is by 110% higher than the lowest price; and occupational rubber boots (knee-high) were purchased by utility enterprises at prices from 400 MKD to 728 MKD per pair of boots, where the highest price for this type of goods is by 82% higher than the lowest price. Attempts to develop the index of rationality for services related to cleaning of river basins could not be realized due to the inability to identify common unit that would serve as basis for comparing costs/prices for this type of services. This Report is available here. For more information,...

Planned e-auctions that are later not implemented result in the highest prices SKOPJE, 21 March, 2016 – Today, the Center for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No. 14 developed for a new group of products: metal archive cabinets, coal, school chairs and occupational rubber boots. The biggest difference in prices was observed in the case of coal, while the smallest difference in prices was noted for procurement of occupational rubber boots. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following conclusions: metal archive cabinets were priced in the range from 6,476 MKD to 14,293 MKD per cabinet, where the highest price is by 121% higher than the lowest price; coal had been purchased at prices ranging from 1,652 MKD to 4,720 MKD per ton, where the highest price is by 186% higher than the lowest price; school chairs with standard dimensions were purchased at prices ranging from 505 MKD to 1,062 MKD, which means that the highest price is by 110% higher than the lowest price; and occupational rubber boots (knee-high) were purchased by utility enterprises at prices from 400 MKD to 728 MKD per pair of boots, where the highest price for this type of goods is by 82% higher than the lowest price. Attempts to develop the index of rationality for services related to cleaning of river basins could not be realized due to the inability to identify common unit that would serve as basis for comparing costs/prices for this type of services. This Report is available here. For more information,...

SKOPJE, December 31, 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2014 – March 2015. Key findings include: -          Low competition in local tender procedures continues to decline despite the series of law amendments adopted in this period and aimed to turn around such tendencies, thereby increasing the number of participants in public procurement procedures. In average, public procurements from the monitoring sample were marked by participation of 2.4 bidding companies, while as high as 57% of tender procedures monitored were not presented with a single bid or were presented with only one bid. -          Although they are law-mandated for all tender procedures, e-auctions were organized in only 53% of monitored procurement procedures. Low competition in tender procedures and “lowest price” defined as the single criterion for contract awarding would continue to deepen the problem related to non-organization of electronic auctions, envisaged as means for reduction of initially bided prices. -          The number of annulled tender procedures in the monitoring sample maintained its high share of 20% and was marked by an increase compared to tendencies observed in the past one to two years, when it amounted to around 15%. The main reason indicated for tender annulment remains the statement that bidding companies have offered prices that are more unfavourable than those anticipated or planned by the contracting authority. -          Inadequacy of “lowest price” defined as the only contract-awarding criterion is the biggest problem faced by companies...

SKOPJE, December 31, 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2014 – March 2015. Key findings include: -          Low competition in local tender procedures continues to decline despite the series of law amendments adopted in this period and aimed to turn around such tendencies, thereby increasing the number of participants in public procurement procedures. In average, public procurements from the monitoring sample were marked by participation of 2.4 bidding companies, while as high as 57% of tender procedures monitored were not presented with a single bid or were presented with only one bid. -          Although they are law-mandated for all tender procedures, e-auctions were organized in only 53% of monitored procurement procedures. Low competition in tender procedures and “lowest price” defined as the single criterion for contract awarding would continue to deepen the problem related to non-organization of electronic auctions, envisaged as means for reduction of initially bided prices. -          The number of annulled tender procedures in the monitoring sample maintained its high share of 20% and was marked by an increase compared to tendencies observed in the past one to two years, when it amounted to around 15%. The main reason indicated for tender annulment remains the statement that bidding companies have offered prices that are more unfavourable than those anticipated or planned by the contracting authority. -          Inadequacy of “lowest price” defined as the only contract-awarding criterion is the biggest problem faced by companies...

SKOPJE, December 31, 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2014 – March 2015. Key findings include: -          Low competition in local tender procedures continues to decline despite the series of law amendments adopted in this period and aimed to turn around such tendencies, thereby increasing the number of participants in public procurement procedures. In average, public procurements from the monitoring sample were marked by participation of 2.4 bidding companies, while as high as 57% of tender procedures monitored were not presented with a single bid or were presented with only one bid. -          Although they are law-mandated for all tender procedures, e-auctions were organized in only 53% of monitored procurement procedures. Low competition in tender procedures and “lowest price” defined as the single criterion for contract awarding would continue to deepen the problem related to non-organization of electronic auctions, envisaged as means for reduction of initially bided prices. -          The number of annulled tender procedures in the monitoring sample maintained its high share of 20% and was marked by an increase compared to tendencies observed in the past one to two years, when it amounted to around 15%. The main reason indicated for tender annulment remains the statement that bidding companies have offered prices that are more unfavourable than those anticipated or planned by the contracting authority. -          Inadequacy of “lowest price” defined as the only contract-awarding criterion is the biggest problem faced by companies...

SKOPJE, December 31, 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2014 – March 2015. Key findings include: -          Low competition in local tender procedures continues to decline despite the series of law amendments adopted in this period and aimed to turn around such tendencies, thereby increasing the number of participants in public procurement procedures. In average, public procurements from the monitoring sample were marked by participation of 2.4 bidding companies, while as high as 57% of tender procedures monitored were not presented with a single bid or were presented with only one bid. -          Although they are law-mandated for all tender procedures, e-auctions were organized in only 53% of monitored procurement procedures. Low competition in tender procedures and “lowest price” defined as the single criterion for contract awarding would continue to deepen the problem related to non-organization of electronic auctions, envisaged as means for reduction of initially bided prices. -          The number of annulled tender procedures in the monitoring sample maintained its high share of 20% and was marked by an increase compared to tendencies observed in the past one to two years, when it amounted to around 15%. The main reason indicated for tender annulment remains the statement that bidding companies have offered prices that are more unfavourable than those anticipated or planned by the contracting authority. -          Inadequacy of “lowest price” defined as the only contract-awarding criterion is the biggest problem faced by companies...

SKOPJE, December 31, 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2014 – March 2015. Key findings include: -          Low competition in local tender procedures continues to decline despite the series of law amendments adopted in this period and aimed to turn around such tendencies, thereby increasing the number of participants in public procurement procedures. In average, public procurements from the monitoring sample were marked by participation of 2.4 bidding companies, while as high as 57% of tender procedures monitored were not presented with a single bid or were presented with only one bid. -          Although they are law-mandated for all tender procedures, e-auctions were organized in only 53% of monitored procurement procedures. Low competition in tender procedures and “lowest price” defined as the single criterion for contract awarding would continue to deepen the problem related to non-organization of electronic auctions, envisaged as means for reduction of initially bided prices. -          The number of annulled tender procedures in the monitoring sample maintained its high share of 20% and was marked by an increase compared to tendencies observed in the past one to two years, when it amounted to around 15%. The main reason indicated for tender annulment remains the statement that bidding companies have offered prices that are more unfavourable than those anticipated or planned by the contracting authority. -          Inadequacy of “lowest price” defined as the only contract-awarding criterion is the biggest problem faced by companies...

SKOPJE, December 31, 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2014 – March 2015. Key findings include: -          Low competition in local tender procedures continues to decline despite the series of law amendments adopted in this period and aimed to turn around such tendencies, thereby increasing the number of participants in public procurement procedures. In average, public procurements from the monitoring sample were marked by participation of 2.4 bidding companies, while as high as 57% of tender procedures monitored were not presented with a single bid or were presented with only one bid. -          Although they are law-mandated for all tender procedures, e-auctions were organized in only 53% of monitored procurement procedures. Low competition in tender procedures and “lowest price” defined as the single criterion for contract awarding would continue to deepen the problem related to non-organization of electronic auctions, envisaged as means for reduction of initially bided prices. -          The number of annulled tender procedures in the monitoring sample maintained its high share of 20% and was marked by an increase compared to tendencies observed in the past one to two years, when it amounted to around 15%. The main reason indicated for tender annulment remains the statement that bidding companies have offered prices that are more unfavourable than those anticipated or planned by the contracting authority. -          Inadequacy of “lowest price” defined as the only contract-awarding criterion is the biggest problem faced by companies...

SKOPJE, December 31, 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2014 – March 2015. Key findings include: -          Low competition in local tender procedures continues to decline despite the series of law amendments adopted in this period and aimed to turn around such tendencies, thereby increasing the number of participants in public procurement procedures. In average, public procurements from the monitoring sample were marked by participation of 2.4 bidding companies, while as high as 57% of tender procedures monitored were not presented with a single bid or were presented with only one bid. -          Although they are law-mandated for all tender procedures, e-auctions were organized in only 53% of monitored procurement procedures. Low competition in tender procedures and “lowest price” defined as the single criterion for contract awarding would continue to deepen the problem related to non-organization of electronic auctions, envisaged as means for reduction of initially bided prices. -          The number of annulled tender procedures in the monitoring sample maintained its high share of 20% and was marked by an increase compared to tendencies observed in the past one to two years, when it amounted to around 15%. The main reason indicated for tender annulment remains the statement that bidding companies have offered prices that are more unfavourable than those anticipated or planned by the contracting authority. -          Inadequacy of “lowest price” defined as the only contract-awarding criterion is the biggest problem faced by companies...

SKOPJE, December 31, 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2014 – March 2015. Key findings include: -          Low competition in local tender procedures continues to decline despite the series of law amendments adopted in this period and aimed to turn around such tendencies, thereby increasing the number of participants in public procurement procedures. In average, public procurements from the monitoring sample were marked by participation of 2.4 bidding companies, while as high as 57% of tender procedures monitored were not presented with a single bid or were presented with only one bid. -          Although they are law-mandated for all tender procedures, e-auctions were organized in only 53% of monitored procurement procedures. Low competition in tender procedures and “lowest price” defined as the single criterion for contract awarding would continue to deepen the problem related to non-organization of electronic auctions, envisaged as means for reduction of initially bided prices. -          The number of annulled tender procedures in the monitoring sample maintained its high share of 20% and was marked by an increase compared to tendencies observed in the past one to two years, when it amounted to around 15%. The main reason indicated for tender annulment remains the statement that bidding companies have offered prices that are more unfavourable than those anticipated or planned by the contracting authority. -          Inadequacy of “lowest price” defined as the only contract-awarding criterion is the biggest problem faced by companies...

SKOPJE, 10 December 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-June 2015. Key findings related to monitoring of public procurements include: Low competition, which brings under question the effectiveness of public spending, continues to be the key hallmark of tender procedures in the first half of 2015. Although established for the purpose of increasing competition, the Council of Public Procurements has failed to yield any results. In the first six months of this year, the Council of Public Procurements was presented with 10,362 applications for approval, costing the institutions as much as 74.3 million MKD, i.e. 1.2 million EUR. Introduced controls have disciplined the institutions and forced them to reduce their use of non-transparent negotiation procedures without prior announcement of call for bids. In the first half of 2015, public funds spent by means of this type of contracts amounted to around 11.5 million EUR and are by 61.4% lower compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2015, 18.5% of all tender procedures announced were annulled. This marked a modest decrease in the number of tender annulments compared to the previous monitoring periods. In the first half of this year, companies submitted the lowest number of appeals recorded in the last several years. The State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals was presented with 252 appeals in total, which is by 23.6% lower compared to the same period last year. More than half of appeals lodged have...

SKOPJE, 10 December 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-June 2015. Key findings related to monitoring of public procurements include: Low competition, which brings under question the effectiveness of public spending, continues to be the key hallmark of tender procedures in the first half of 2015. Although established for the purpose of increasing competition, the Council of Public Procurements has failed to yield any results. In the first six months of this year, the Council of Public Procurements was presented with 10,362 applications for approval, costing the institutions as much as 74.3 million MKD, i.e. 1.2 million EUR. Introduced controls have disciplined the institutions and forced them to reduce their use of non-transparent negotiation procedures without prior announcement of call for bids. In the first half of 2015, public funds spent by means of this type of contracts amounted to around 11.5 million EUR and are by 61.4% lower compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2015, 18.5% of all tender procedures announced were annulled. This marked a modest decrease in the number of tender annulments compared to the previous monitoring periods. In the first half of this year, companies submitted the lowest number of appeals recorded in the last several years. The State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals was presented with 252 appeals in total, which is by 23.6% lower compared to the same period last year. More than half of appeals lodged have...

SKOPJE, 10 December 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-June 2015. Key findings related to monitoring of public procurements include: Low competition, which brings under question the effectiveness of public spending, continues to be the key hallmark of tender procedures in the first half of 2015. Although established for the purpose of increasing competition, the Council of Public Procurements has failed to yield any results. In the first six months of this year, the Council of Public Procurements was presented with 10,362 applications for approval, costing the institutions as much as 74.3 million MKD, i.e. 1.2 million EUR. Introduced controls have disciplined the institutions and forced them to reduce their use of non-transparent negotiation procedures without prior announcement of call for bids. In the first half of 2015, public funds spent by means of this type of contracts amounted to around 11.5 million EUR and are by 61.4% lower compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2015, 18.5% of all tender procedures announced were annulled. This marked a modest decrease in the number of tender annulments compared to the previous monitoring periods. In the first half of this year, companies submitted the lowest number of appeals recorded in the last several years. The State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals was presented with 252 appeals in total, which is by 23.6% lower compared to the same period last year. More than half of appeals lodged have...

SKOPJE, 10 December 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-June 2015. Key findings related to monitoring of public procurements include: Low competition, which brings under question the effectiveness of public spending, continues to be the key hallmark of tender procedures in the first half of 2015. Although established for the purpose of increasing competition, the Council of Public Procurements has failed to yield any results. In the first six months of this year, the Council of Public Procurements was presented with 10,362 applications for approval, costing the institutions as much as 74.3 million MKD, i.e. 1.2 million EUR. Introduced controls have disciplined the institutions and forced them to reduce their use of non-transparent negotiation procedures without prior announcement of call for bids. In the first half of 2015, public funds spent by means of this type of contracts amounted to around 11.5 million EUR and are by 61.4% lower compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2015, 18.5% of all tender procedures announced were annulled. This marked a modest decrease in the number of tender annulments compared to the previous monitoring periods. In the first half of this year, companies submitted the lowest number of appeals recorded in the last several years. The State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals was presented with 252 appeals in total, which is by 23.6% lower compared to the same period last year. More than half of appeals lodged have...

SKOPJE, 10 December 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-June 2015. Key findings related to monitoring of public procurements include: Low competition, which brings under question the effectiveness of public spending, continues to be the key hallmark of tender procedures in the first half of 2015. Although established for the purpose of increasing competition, the Council of Public Procurements has failed to yield any results. In the first six months of this year, the Council of Public Procurements was presented with 10,362 applications for approval, costing the institutions as much as 74.3 million MKD, i.e. 1.2 million EUR. Introduced controls have disciplined the institutions and forced them to reduce their use of non-transparent negotiation procedures without prior announcement of call for bids. In the first half of 2015, public funds spent by means of this type of contracts amounted to around 11.5 million EUR and are by 61.4% lower compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2015, 18.5% of all tender procedures announced were annulled. This marked a modest decrease in the number of tender annulments compared to the previous monitoring periods. In the first half of this year, companies submitted the lowest number of appeals recorded in the last several years. The State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals was presented with 252 appeals in total, which is by 23.6% lower compared to the same period last year. More than half of appeals lodged have...

SKOPJE, 10 December 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-June 2015. Key findings related to monitoring of public procurements include: Low competition, which brings under question the effectiveness of public spending, continues to be the key hallmark of tender procedures in the first half of 2015. Although established for the purpose of increasing competition, the Council of Public Procurements has failed to yield any results. In the first six months of this year, the Council of Public Procurements was presented with 10,362 applications for approval, costing the institutions as much as 74.3 million MKD, i.e. 1.2 million EUR. Introduced controls have disciplined the institutions and forced them to reduce their use of non-transparent negotiation procedures without prior announcement of call for bids. In the first half of 2015, public funds spent by means of this type of contracts amounted to around 11.5 million EUR and are by 61.4% lower compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2015, 18.5% of all tender procedures announced were annulled. This marked a modest decrease in the number of tender annulments compared to the previous monitoring periods. In the first half of this year, companies submitted the lowest number of appeals recorded in the last several years. The State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals was presented with 252 appeals in total, which is by 23.6% lower compared to the same period last year. More than half of appeals lodged have...

SKOPJE, 10 December 2015 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-June 2015. Key findings related to monitoring of public procurements include: Low competition, which brings under question the effectiveness of public spending, continues to be the key hallmark of tender procedures in the first half of 2015. Although established for the purpose of increasing competition, the Council of Public Procurements has failed to yield any results. In the first six months of this year, the Council of Public Procurements was presented with 10,362 applications for approval, costing the institutions as much as 74.3 million MKD, i.e. 1.2 million EUR. Introduced controls have disciplined the institutions and forced them to reduce their use of non-transparent negotiation procedures without prior announcement of call for bids. In the first half of 2015, public funds spent by means of this type of contracts amounted to around 11.5 million EUR and are by 61.4% lower compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2015, 18.5% of all tender procedures announced were annulled. This marked a modest decrease in the number of tender annulments compared to the previous monitoring periods. In the first half of this year, companies submitted the lowest number of appeals recorded in the last several years. The State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals was presented with 252 appeals in total, which is by 23.6% lower compared to the same period last year. More than half of appeals lodged have...