Events

SKOPJE, 17 October 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2013 - March 2014. Key findings include: - Once “lowest price” was introduced as the single criterion on awarding public procurement contracts, and e-auctions are mandated for all tender procedures, there are numerous examples of tender procedures that have attained extremely low prices whereby the quality of the execution of the contact is questioned. - Transparency remains one of the major problems affecting public procurements in the country. Some state institutions either do not publish tender data or publish them late, while others do not disclose information requested by means of FOI applications. - Several months (October-December 2013) before legal provisions on mandatory publication of tender documents enter in effect (from January 2014), including legal provisions whereby defining eligibility criteria for tender participation becomes difficult and liable to sanctions (from May 2014), 45% of tender procedures monitored have not published their relevant tender documents, while as high as 60% of them included high eligibility criteria for tender participation. - Tender annulments continue to create problems in the field of public procurements. In this monitoring period as well, the share of annulled tender procedures ranges around the average of 15% calculated for local level public procurements. - Deadline on selection decision-taking is complied with, but signing of procurement contracts is postponed. The Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on...

SKOPJE, 17 October 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2013 - March 2014. Key findings include: - Once “lowest price” was introduced as the single criterion on awarding public procurement contracts, and e-auctions are mandated for all tender procedures, there are numerous examples of tender procedures that have attained extremely low prices whereby the quality of the execution of the contact is questioned. - Transparency remains one of the major problems affecting public procurements in the country. Some state institutions either do not publish tender data or publish them late, while others do not disclose information requested by means of FOI applications. - Several months (October-December 2013) before legal provisions on mandatory publication of tender documents enter in effect (from January 2014), including legal provisions whereby defining eligibility criteria for tender participation becomes difficult and liable to sanctions (from May 2014), 45% of tender procedures monitored have not published their relevant tender documents, while as high as 60% of them included high eligibility criteria for tender participation. - Tender annulments continue to create problems in the field of public procurements. In this monitoring period as well, the share of annulled tender procedures ranges around the average of 15% calculated for local level public procurements. - Deadline on selection decision-taking is complied with, but signing of procurement contracts is postponed. The Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on...

SKOPJE, 17 October 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2013 - March 2014. Key findings include: - Once “lowest price” was introduced as the single criterion on awarding public procurement contracts, and e-auctions are mandated for all tender procedures, there are numerous examples of tender procedures that have attained extremely low prices whereby the quality of the execution of the contact is questioned. - Transparency remains one of the major problems affecting public procurements in the country. Some state institutions either do not publish tender data or publish them late, while others do not disclose information requested by means of FOI applications. - Several months (October-December 2013) before legal provisions on mandatory publication of tender documents enter in effect (from January 2014), including legal provisions whereby defining eligibility criteria for tender participation becomes difficult and liable to sanctions (from May 2014), 45% of tender procedures monitored have not published their relevant tender documents, while as high as 60% of them included high eligibility criteria for tender participation. - Tender annulments continue to create problems in the field of public procurements. In this monitoring period as well, the share of annulled tender procedures ranges around the average of 15% calculated for local level public procurements. - Deadline on selection decision-taking is complied with, but signing of procurement contracts is postponed. The Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on...

SKOPJE, 17 October 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2013 - March 2014. Key findings include: - Once “lowest price” was introduced as the single criterion on awarding public procurement contracts, and e-auctions are mandated for all tender procedures, there are numerous examples of tender procedures that have attained extremely low prices whereby the quality of the execution of the contact is questioned. - Transparency remains one of the major problems affecting public procurements in the country. Some state institutions either do not publish tender data or publish them late, while others do not disclose information requested by means of FOI applications. - Several months (October-December 2013) before legal provisions on mandatory publication of tender documents enter in effect (from January 2014), including legal provisions whereby defining eligibility criteria for tender participation becomes difficult and liable to sanctions (from May 2014), 45% of tender procedures monitored have not published their relevant tender documents, while as high as 60% of them included high eligibility criteria for tender participation. - Tender annulments continue to create problems in the field of public procurements. In this monitoring period as well, the share of annulled tender procedures ranges around the average of 15% calculated for local level public procurements. - Deadline on selection decision-taking is complied with, but signing of procurement contracts is postponed. The Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on...

SKOPJE, 17 October 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the results from its regular monitoring of public procurements implemented by local authorities for the period October 2013 - March 2014. Key findings include: - Once “lowest price” was introduced as the single criterion on awarding public procurement contracts, and e-auctions are mandated for all tender procedures, there are numerous examples of tender procedures that have attained extremely low prices whereby the quality of the execution of the contact is questioned. - Transparency remains one of the major problems affecting public procurements in the country. Some state institutions either do not publish tender data or publish them late, while others do not disclose information requested by means of FOI applications. - Several months (October-December 2013) before legal provisions on mandatory publication of tender documents enter in effect (from January 2014), including legal provisions whereby defining eligibility criteria for tender participation becomes difficult and liable to sanctions (from May 2014), 45% of tender procedures monitored have not published their relevant tender documents, while as high as 60% of them included high eligibility criteria for tender participation. - Tender annulments continue to create problems in the field of public procurements. In this monitoring period as well, the share of annulled tender procedures ranges around the average of 15% calculated for local level public procurements. - Deadline on selection decision-taking is complied with, but signing of procurement contracts is postponed. The Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No.11 developed for a new group of products (electricity and tetanus vaccines) and services (street resurfacing, engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings and hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings). Greatest differences in price were observed in terms of engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck), whereas the smallest differences in price were observed in terms of procurement of services for street resurfacing. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following findings and conclusions: electricity was purchased at prices ranging from 3.46 to 6.25 MKD per KWh, where the highest price is by 81% higher than the lowest price; health institutions purchased tetanus vaccines in dosage of 0.5 ml at prices ranging from 37.14 to 74.87 MKD, where the highest price is by 102% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for street resurfacing range from 757 to 1,239 MKD per m2, which means that the highest price is by 64% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck) range from 2,588 to 7,678 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price paid for this service is 2 times higher than the lowest price; and prices paid by municipalities for hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings range from 177 to 512 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price is...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No.11 developed for a new group of products (electricity and tetanus vaccines) and services (street resurfacing, engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings and hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings). Greatest differences in price were observed in terms of engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck), whereas the smallest differences in price were observed in terms of procurement of services for street resurfacing. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following findings and conclusions: electricity was purchased at prices ranging from 3.46 to 6.25 MKD per KWh, where the highest price is by 81% higher than the lowest price; health institutions purchased tetanus vaccines in dosage of 0.5 ml at prices ranging from 37.14 to 74.87 MKD, where the highest price is by 102% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for street resurfacing range from 757 to 1,239 MKD per m2, which means that the highest price is by 64% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck) range from 2,588 to 7,678 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price paid for this service is 2 times higher than the lowest price; and prices paid by municipalities for hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings range from 177 to 512 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price is...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No.11 developed for a new group of products (electricity and tetanus vaccines) and services (street resurfacing, engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings and hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings). Greatest differences in price were observed in terms of engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck), whereas the smallest differences in price were observed in terms of procurement of services for street resurfacing. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following findings and conclusions: electricity was purchased at prices ranging from 3.46 to 6.25 MKD per KWh, where the highest price is by 81% higher than the lowest price; health institutions purchased tetanus vaccines in dosage of 0.5 ml at prices ranging from 37.14 to 74.87 MKD, where the highest price is by 102% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for street resurfacing range from 757 to 1,239 MKD per m2, which means that the highest price is by 64% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck) range from 2,588 to 7,678 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price paid for this service is 2 times higher than the lowest price; and prices paid by municipalities for hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings range from 177 to 512 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price is...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No.11 developed for a new group of products (electricity and tetanus vaccines) and services (street resurfacing, engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings and hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings). Greatest differences in price were observed in terms of engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck), whereas the smallest differences in price were observed in terms of procurement of services for street resurfacing. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following findings and conclusions: electricity was purchased at prices ranging from 3.46 to 6.25 MKD per KWh, where the highest price is by 81% higher than the lowest price; health institutions purchased tetanus vaccines in dosage of 0.5 ml at prices ranging from 37.14 to 74.87 MKD, where the highest price is by 102% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for street resurfacing range from 757 to 1,239 MKD per m2, which means that the highest price is by 64% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck) range from 2,588 to 7,678 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price paid for this service is 2 times higher than the lowest price; and prices paid by municipalities for hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings range from 177 to 512 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price is...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No.11 developed for a new group of products (electricity and tetanus vaccines) and services (street resurfacing, engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings and hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings). Greatest differences in price were observed in terms of engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck), whereas the smallest differences in price were observed in terms of procurement of services for street resurfacing. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following findings and conclusions: electricity was purchased at prices ranging from 3.46 to 6.25 MKD per KWh, where the highest price is by 81% higher than the lowest price; health institutions purchased tetanus vaccines in dosage of 0.5 ml at prices ranging from 37.14 to 74.87 MKD, where the highest price is by 102% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for street resurfacing range from 757 to 1,239 MKD per m2, which means that the highest price is by 64% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck) range from 2,588 to 7,678 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price paid for this service is 2 times higher than the lowest price; and prices paid by municipalities for hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings range from 177 to 512 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price is...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No.11 developed for a new group of products (electricity and tetanus vaccines) and services (street resurfacing, engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings and hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings). Greatest differences in price were observed in terms of engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck), whereas the smallest differences in price were observed in terms of procurement of services for street resurfacing. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following findings and conclusions: electricity was purchased at prices ranging from 3.46 to 6.25 MKD per KWh, where the highest price is by 81% higher than the lowest price; health institutions purchased tetanus vaccines in dosage of 0.5 ml at prices ranging from 37.14 to 74.87 MKD, where the highest price is by 102% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for street resurfacing range from 757 to 1,239 MKD per m2, which means that the highest price is by 64% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck) range from 2,588 to 7,678 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price paid for this service is 2 times higher than the lowest price; and prices paid by municipalities for hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings range from 177 to 512 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price is...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the Index of Rationality No.11 developed for a new group of products (electricity and tetanus vaccines) and services (street resurfacing, engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings and hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings). Greatest differences in price were observed in terms of engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck), whereas the smallest differences in price were observed in terms of procurement of services for street resurfacing. In summary, the Index of Rationality provides the following findings and conclusions: electricity was purchased at prices ranging from 3.46 to 6.25 MKD per KWh, where the highest price is by 81% higher than the lowest price; health institutions purchased tetanus vaccines in dosage of 0.5 ml at prices ranging from 37.14 to 74.87 MKD, where the highest price is by 102% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for street resurfacing range from 757 to 1,239 MKD per m2, which means that the highest price is by 64% higher than the lowest price; prices paid by municipalities for engaging machinery for demolition of illegally constructed buildings (8-ton crane truck) range from 2,588 to 7,678 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price paid for this service is 2 times higher than the lowest price; and prices paid by municipalities for hiring labor force for demolition of illegally constructed buildings range from 177 to 512 MKD per hour, which means that the highest price is...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the periodApril-June 2014. Key findings include: Multiannual trend of decreasing number of appeals lodged by companies in front of the State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals (SCPPA) is discontinued. In the first semester of 2014, SCPPA was presented with a total of 330 appeals, accounting for an increase by 13.4% compared to the same period last year. Also, for the first time in several years, high share of decisions taken by SCPPA imply approval of appeals. Significant share of bids submitted in tender procedures do not reach the bid-evaluation stage. In that, reasons indicated for rejection of bids include administrative shortcomings of bids submitted and failure to fulfil requirements defined in relevant tender documents (eligibility criteria and terms and conditions defined in tender specifications). Recently adopted law amendments in effect from January 2014 have yield expected results in reducing the share of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids, but are still ineffective in terms of reduced number of tender annulments. In the second quarter of 2014, the total values of direct contracts accounts for 10.5 million EUR, and 22.4% of all announced tenders were annulled. Competition is still on unsatisfactory level. Only 47% of tender procedures from the monitoring sample were completed with e-auction. This Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on tel. (02) 3213-513 or by e-mail: center@ccc.org.mk. NOTE TO THE EDITORS: USAID...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the periodApril-June 2014. Key findings include: Multiannual trend of decreasing number of appeals lodged by companies in front of the State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals (SCPPA) is discontinued. In the first semester of 2014, SCPPA was presented with a total of 330 appeals, accounting for an increase by 13.4% compared to the same period last year. Also, for the first time in several years, high share of decisions taken by SCPPA imply approval of appeals. Significant share of bids submitted in tender procedures do not reach the bid-evaluation stage. In that, reasons indicated for rejection of bids include administrative shortcomings of bids submitted and failure to fulfil requirements defined in relevant tender documents (eligibility criteria and terms and conditions defined in tender specifications). Recently adopted law amendments in effect from January 2014 have yield expected results in reducing the share of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids, but are still ineffective in terms of reduced number of tender annulments. In the second quarter of 2014, the total values of direct contracts accounts for 10.5 million EUR, and 22.4% of all announced tenders were annulled. Competition is still on unsatisfactory level. Only 47% of tender procedures from the monitoring sample were completed with e-auction. This Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on tel. (02) 3213-513 or by e-mail: center@ccc.org.mk. NOTE TO THE EDITORS: USAID...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the periodApril-June 2014. Key findings include: Multiannual trend of decreasing number of appeals lodged by companies in front of the State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals (SCPPA) is discontinued. In the first semester of 2014, SCPPA was presented with a total of 330 appeals, accounting for an increase by 13.4% compared to the same period last year. Also, for the first time in several years, high share of decisions taken by SCPPA imply approval of appeals. Significant share of bids submitted in tender procedures do not reach the bid-evaluation stage. In that, reasons indicated for rejection of bids include administrative shortcomings of bids submitted and failure to fulfil requirements defined in relevant tender documents (eligibility criteria and terms and conditions defined in tender specifications). Recently adopted law amendments in effect from January 2014 have yield expected results in reducing the share of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids, but are still ineffective in terms of reduced number of tender annulments. In the second quarter of 2014, the total values of direct contracts accounts for 10.5 million EUR, and 22.4% of all announced tenders were annulled. Competition is still on unsatisfactory level. Only 47% of tender procedures from the monitoring sample were completed with e-auction. This Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on tel. (02) 3213-513 or by e-mail: center@ccc.org.mk. NOTE TO THE EDITORS: USAID...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the periodApril-June 2014. Key findings include: Multiannual trend of decreasing number of appeals lodged by companies in front of the State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals (SCPPA) is discontinued. In the first semester of 2014, SCPPA was presented with a total of 330 appeals, accounting for an increase by 13.4% compared to the same period last year. Also, for the first time in several years, high share of decisions taken by SCPPA imply approval of appeals. Significant share of bids submitted in tender procedures do not reach the bid-evaluation stage. In that, reasons indicated for rejection of bids include administrative shortcomings of bids submitted and failure to fulfil requirements defined in relevant tender documents (eligibility criteria and terms and conditions defined in tender specifications). Recently adopted law amendments in effect from January 2014 have yield expected results in reducing the share of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids, but are still ineffective in terms of reduced number of tender annulments. In the second quarter of 2014, the total values of direct contracts accounts for 10.5 million EUR, and 22.4% of all announced tenders were annulled. Competition is still on unsatisfactory level. Only 47% of tender procedures from the monitoring sample were completed with e-auction. This Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on tel. (02) 3213-513 or by e-mail: center@ccc.org.mk. NOTE TO THE EDITORS: USAID...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the periodApril-June 2014. Key findings include: Multiannual trend of decreasing number of appeals lodged by companies in front of the State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals (SCPPA) is discontinued. In the first semester of 2014, SCPPA was presented with a total of 330 appeals, accounting for an increase by 13.4% compared to the same period last year. Also, for the first time in several years, high share of decisions taken by SCPPA imply approval of appeals. Significant share of bids submitted in tender procedures do not reach the bid-evaluation stage. In that, reasons indicated for rejection of bids include administrative shortcomings of bids submitted and failure to fulfil requirements defined in relevant tender documents (eligibility criteria and terms and conditions defined in tender specifications). Recently adopted law amendments in effect from January 2014 have yield expected results in reducing the share of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids, but are still ineffective in terms of reduced number of tender annulments. In the second quarter of 2014, the total values of direct contracts accounts for 10.5 million EUR, and 22.4% of all announced tenders were annulled. Competition is still on unsatisfactory level. Only 47% of tender procedures from the monitoring sample were completed with e-auction. This Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on tel. (02) 3213-513 or by e-mail: center@ccc.org.mk. NOTE TO THE EDITORS: USAID...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the periodApril-June 2014. Key findings include: Multiannual trend of decreasing number of appeals lodged by companies in front of the State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals (SCPPA) is discontinued. In the first semester of 2014, SCPPA was presented with a total of 330 appeals, accounting for an increase by 13.4% compared to the same period last year. Also, for the first time in several years, high share of decisions taken by SCPPA imply approval of appeals. Significant share of bids submitted in tender procedures do not reach the bid-evaluation stage. In that, reasons indicated for rejection of bids include administrative shortcomings of bids submitted and failure to fulfil requirements defined in relevant tender documents (eligibility criteria and terms and conditions defined in tender specifications). Recently adopted law amendments in effect from January 2014 have yield expected results in reducing the share of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids, but are still ineffective in terms of reduced number of tender annulments. In the second quarter of 2014, the total values of direct contracts accounts for 10.5 million EUR, and 22.4% of all announced tenders were annulled. Competition is still on unsatisfactory level. Only 47% of tender procedures from the monitoring sample were completed with e-auction. This Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on tel. (02) 3213-513 or by e-mail: center@ccc.org.mk. NOTE TO THE EDITORS: USAID...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the periodApril-June 2014. Key findings include: Multiannual trend of decreasing number of appeals lodged by companies in front of the State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals (SCPPA) is discontinued. In the first semester of 2014, SCPPA was presented with a total of 330 appeals, accounting for an increase by 13.4% compared to the same period last year. Also, for the first time in several years, high share of decisions taken by SCPPA imply approval of appeals. Significant share of bids submitted in tender procedures do not reach the bid-evaluation stage. In that, reasons indicated for rejection of bids include administrative shortcomings of bids submitted and failure to fulfil requirements defined in relevant tender documents (eligibility criteria and terms and conditions defined in tender specifications). Recently adopted law amendments in effect from January 2014 have yield expected results in reducing the share of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids, but are still ineffective in terms of reduced number of tender annulments. In the second quarter of 2014, the total values of direct contracts accounts for 10.5 million EUR, and 22.4% of all announced tenders were annulled. Competition is still on unsatisfactory level. Only 47% of tender procedures from the monitoring sample were completed with e-auction. This Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on tel. (02) 3213-513 or by e-mail: center@ccc.org.mk. NOTE TO THE EDITORS: USAID...

SKOPJE, 4 September, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the periodApril-June 2014. Key findings include: Multiannual trend of decreasing number of appeals lodged by companies in front of the State Commission on Public Procurement Appeals (SCPPA) is discontinued. In the first semester of 2014, SCPPA was presented with a total of 330 appeals, accounting for an increase by 13.4% compared to the same period last year. Also, for the first time in several years, high share of decisions taken by SCPPA imply approval of appeals. Significant share of bids submitted in tender procedures do not reach the bid-evaluation stage. In that, reasons indicated for rejection of bids include administrative shortcomings of bids submitted and failure to fulfil requirements defined in relevant tender documents (eligibility criteria and terms and conditions defined in tender specifications). Recently adopted law amendments in effect from January 2014 have yield expected results in reducing the share of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids, but are still ineffective in terms of reduced number of tender annulments. In the second quarter of 2014, the total values of direct contracts accounts for 10.5 million EUR, and 22.4% of all announced tenders were annulled. Competition is still on unsatisfactory level. Only 47% of tender procedures from the monitoring sample were completed with e-auction. This Report is available here. For more information, please contact the Centre for Civil Communications on tel. (02) 3213-513 or by e-mail: center@ccc.org.mk. NOTE TO THE EDITORS: USAID...

SKOPJE, 25 July, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-March 2014. Key findings include: In the first quarter of this year, the total value of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids is marked by major increase, notably in the wake of entry in effect of legal provisions that should reduce the occurrence of this type of procurement contracts. Within a period of only three months, the negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids was used to sign 228 procurement contracts in total value of 19.3 million EUR. Given the subject of most public procurements implemented in the first quarter of this year, such as computer equipment, office supplies, insurance services, air-tickets, hygiene services, etc., the competition in public procurements was on higher level compared to the average competition observed in 2013. Some institutions continued to condition companies’ participation in tender procedures with evidence on their profitability. Elements used to evaluate the quality of bids remain the weakest link in the system of public procurements. By March 2014, the number of companies that have been prohibited to participate in tender procedures reached 45. One company from the black list has been prohibited to participate in tender procedures for an accumulative period longer than the law-stipulated maximum of five years. This Report is available here.

SKOPJE, 25 July, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-March 2014. Key findings include: In the first quarter of this year, the total value of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids is marked by major increase, notably in the wake of entry in effect of legal provisions that should reduce the occurrence of this type of procurement contracts. Within a period of only three months, the negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids was used to sign 228 procurement contracts in total value of 19.3 million EUR. Given the subject of most public procurements implemented in the first quarter of this year, such as computer equipment, office supplies, insurance services, air-tickets, hygiene services, etc., the competition in public procurements was on higher level compared to the average competition observed in 2013. Some institutions continued to condition companies’ participation in tender procedures with evidence on their profitability. Elements used to evaluate the quality of bids remain the weakest link in the system of public procurements. By March 2014, the number of companies that have been prohibited to participate in tender procedures reached 45. One company from the black list has been prohibited to participate in tender procedures for an accumulative period longer than the law-stipulated maximum of five years. This Report is available here.

SKOPJE, 25 July, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-March 2014. Key findings include: In the first quarter of this year, the total value of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids is marked by major increase, notably in the wake of entry in effect of legal provisions that should reduce the occurrence of this type of procurement contracts. Within a period of only three months, the negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids was used to sign 228 procurement contracts in total value of 19.3 million EUR. Given the subject of most public procurements implemented in the first quarter of this year, such as computer equipment, office supplies, insurance services, air-tickets, hygiene services, etc., the competition in public procurements was on higher level compared to the average competition observed in 2013. Some institutions continued to condition companies’ participation in tender procedures with evidence on their profitability. Elements used to evaluate the quality of bids remain the weakest link in the system of public procurements. By March 2014, the number of companies that have been prohibited to participate in tender procedures reached 45. One company from the black list has been prohibited to participate in tender procedures for an accumulative period longer than the law-stipulated maximum of five years. This Report is available here.

SKOPJE, 25 July, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-March 2014. Key findings include: In the first quarter of this year, the total value of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids is marked by major increase, notably in the wake of entry in effect of legal provisions that should reduce the occurrence of this type of procurement contracts. Within a period of only three months, the negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids was used to sign 228 procurement contracts in total value of 19.3 million EUR. Given the subject of most public procurements implemented in the first quarter of this year, such as computer equipment, office supplies, insurance services, air-tickets, hygiene services, etc., the competition in public procurements was on higher level compared to the average competition observed in 2013. Some institutions continued to condition companies’ participation in tender procedures with evidence on their profitability. Elements used to evaluate the quality of bids remain the weakest link in the system of public procurements. By March 2014, the number of companies that have been prohibited to participate in tender procedures reached 45. One company from the black list has been prohibited to participate in tender procedures for an accumulative period longer than the law-stipulated maximum of five years. This Report is available here.

SKOPJE, 25 July, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-March 2014. Key findings include: In the first quarter of this year, the total value of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids is marked by major increase, notably in the wake of entry in effect of legal provisions that should reduce the occurrence of this type of procurement contracts. Within a period of only three months, the negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids was used to sign 228 procurement contracts in total value of 19.3 million EUR. Given the subject of most public procurements implemented in the first quarter of this year, such as computer equipment, office supplies, insurance services, air-tickets, hygiene services, etc., the competition in public procurements was on higher level compared to the average competition observed in 2013. Some institutions continued to condition companies’ participation in tender procedures with evidence on their profitability. Elements used to evaluate the quality of bids remain the weakest link in the system of public procurements. By March 2014, the number of companies that have been prohibited to participate in tender procedures reached 45. One company from the black list has been prohibited to participate in tender procedures for an accumulative period longer than the law-stipulated maximum of five years. This Report is available here.

SKOPJE, 25 July, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-March 2014. Key findings include: In the first quarter of this year, the total value of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids is marked by major increase, notably in the wake of entry in effect of legal provisions that should reduce the occurrence of this type of procurement contracts. Within a period of only three months, the negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids was used to sign 228 procurement contracts in total value of 19.3 million EUR. Given the subject of most public procurements implemented in the first quarter of this year, such as computer equipment, office supplies, insurance services, air-tickets, hygiene services, etc., the competition in public procurements was on higher level compared to the average competition observed in 2013. Some institutions continued to condition companies’ participation in tender procedures with evidence on their profitability. Elements used to evaluate the quality of bids remain the weakest link in the system of public procurements. By March 2014, the number of companies that have been prohibited to participate in tender procedures reached 45. One company from the black list has been prohibited to participate in tender procedures for an accumulative period longer than the law-stipulated maximum of five years. This Report is available here.

SKOPJE, 25 July, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-March 2014. Key findings include: In the first quarter of this year, the total value of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids is marked by major increase, notably in the wake of entry in effect of legal provisions that should reduce the occurrence of this type of procurement contracts. Within a period of only three months, the negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids was used to sign 228 procurement contracts in total value of 19.3 million EUR. Given the subject of most public procurements implemented in the first quarter of this year, such as computer equipment, office supplies, insurance services, air-tickets, hygiene services, etc., the competition in public procurements was on higher level compared to the average competition observed in 2013. Some institutions continued to condition companies’ participation in tender procedures with evidence on their profitability. Elements used to evaluate the quality of bids remain the weakest link in the system of public procurements. By March 2014, the number of companies that have been prohibited to participate in tender procedures reached 45. One company from the black list has been prohibited to participate in tender procedures for an accumulative period longer than the law-stipulated maximum of five years. This Report is available here.

SKOPJE, 25 July, 2014 – Today, the Centre for Civil Communications published the monitoring results for public procurement procedures in Macedonia for the period January-March 2014. Key findings include: In the first quarter of this year, the total value of contracts signed by means of negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids is marked by major increase, notably in the wake of entry in effect of legal provisions that should reduce the occurrence of this type of procurement contracts. Within a period of only three months, the negotiation procedure without previously announced call for bids was used to sign 228 procurement contracts in total value of 19.3 million EUR. Given the subject of most public procurements implemented in the first quarter of this year, such as computer equipment, office supplies, insurance services, air-tickets, hygiene services, etc., the competition in public procurements was on higher level compared to the average competition observed in 2013. Some institutions continued to condition companies’ participation in tender procedures with evidence on their profitability. Elements used to evaluate the quality of bids remain the weakest link in the system of public procurements. By March 2014, the number of companies that have been prohibited to participate in tender procedures reached 45. One company from the black list has been prohibited to participate in tender procedures for an accumulative period longer than the law-stipulated maximum of five years. This Report is available here.

In Kumanovo today, the USAID Project for Microenterprise Access to Public Procurement celebrated the expansion of its Veles center services to cover the Northeast region.  Project staff presented the range of services which will now be available to microenterprises in the region, talked about the impact the project has had on microenterprises in the Vardar and Eastern regions, and encouraged those in attendance to enroll in the program. “Microenterprises are recognized worldwide as important elements of national economies, contributing significantly to employment expansion and poverty alleviation,” said USAID Mission Director James Stein.  “Though public procurement bids are estimated at roughly $1.2 billion annually, microenterprises traditionally do not participate in them.  We want to change that.” As the USAID project expands services to the Northeast as well as Southeast regions, it will offer training, everyday technical assistance, and information to 300 microenterprises from 35 municipalities.  In addition, for over 300 local contracting authorities, it will offer concrete measures to reduce the current administrative burdens and other barriers faced disproportionately by microenterprises. NOTES TO THE EDITORS The American people, through USAID, have invested more than $500 million in Macedonia since 1993. USAID works with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information please visit USAID Macedonia Website and USAID Macedonia Facebook page. The...

In Kumanovo today, the USAID Project for Microenterprise Access to Public Procurement celebrated the expansion of its Veles center services to cover the Northeast region.  Project staff presented the range of services which will now be available to microenterprises in the region, talked about the impact the project has had on microenterprises in the Vardar and Eastern regions, and encouraged those in attendance to enroll in the program. “Microenterprises are recognized worldwide as important elements of national economies, contributing significantly to employment expansion and poverty alleviation,” said USAID Mission Director James Stein.  “Though public procurement bids are estimated at roughly $1.2 billion annually, microenterprises traditionally do not participate in them.  We want to change that.” As the USAID project expands services to the Northeast as well as Southeast regions, it will offer training, everyday technical assistance, and information to 300 microenterprises from 35 municipalities.  In addition, for over 300 local contracting authorities, it will offer concrete measures to reduce the current administrative burdens and other barriers faced disproportionately by microenterprises. NOTES TO THE EDITORS The American people, through USAID, have invested more than $500 million in Macedonia since 1993. USAID works with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information please visit USAID Macedonia Website and USAID Macedonia Facebook page. The...