The impact of public procurement on the public administration : a study on the tender evaluation committees

Abstract

This dissertation explores the practical application of the Public Procurement Regulations established in 2004 to align with European Union directives, with a specific focus on the role and experiences of Tender Evaluation Committees (TECs). Adopting a qualitative research approach, the study involves a semi-structured interview with a Director from the Department of Contracts and a focus group with various government employees who contribute to TECs. The research also includes a statistical analysis of published tenders on the Electronic Public Procurement System (EPPS) between 1999 and 2024, revealing an average of approximately 2,112 tenders awarded annually. Over the 25-year period, this equates to over 50,000 tenders, involving an estimated 274,685 committee member participations and over 200,000 bid submissions from economic operators, across more than 340 Contracting Authorities. On average, each Contracting Authority published 155 tenders, with five officers participating in each committee, and four economic operators bidding per tender. Findings highlight significant pressures on TEC members, who carry out these roles in addition to their regular duties. Concerns were raised over inadequate training, lack of recognition or compensation, and the perception of being assigned responsibilities beyond their qualifications. By amplifying the voices of procurement practitioners and identifying key challenges in the TEC process, this study aims to contribute to the ongoing improvement of public procurement evaluation practices in Malta.