Abstract

The new regulations within the area of awarding contracts for so-called “social services and other special services” no longer make a distinction between “priority and non-priority services” and introduce instead simplified procedures of awarding such contracts. The Public Procurement Act introduces two variants of this simplified regime to be applied depending on contract value. Additionally, it allows contracting authorities to make reservations as regards particular categories of services for specialized organizations which operate in the social services, health care, education or cultural sectors. The emphasis is placed on the information obligation resting with contracting authorities and ensuring that procurement is conducted in an open, objective and non-discriminating manner. The new solutions are meant to protect the interests of both the procurers and the contractors, by allowing the former to develop their own simplified procurement procedures for social services.