Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has suddenly and unexpectedly changed the way in which the world functions in practically every possible area. Its impact is clearly felt in the sphere of economic relations (global, national and local), including public procurement. Further legal regulations contained in normative acts, called anti-crisis shields, provide for public procurement solutions to prevent and mitigate the effects of the pandemic. These measures are intended, above all, to improve the situation of contractors affected by the effects of the pandemic, as well as to guarantee the possibility of continuing public procurement contracts. Their additional effect may be to make the public procurement market more attractive.

The expected significant role of public procurement in the post-Covid era requires market participants to make much wider use of some already existing legal structures, as well as structures provided for under the new Public Procurement Law. Modern public procurement should, above all, strengthen the attractiveness of the market in the eyes of contractors. The aim should also be to use and support new technologies (known as innovative public procurement). The next steps should also aim towards implementing further pro-social and pro-environmental effects, which are key from the point of view of contemporary challenges.