Public contracts : a comparative analysis of Malta’s general and departmental contracts committees

Abstract

Whether locally, nationally, or internationally, public procurement is an indispensable tool for all public administrations. With the correct use of public procurement procedures, economic operators have an equal chance to compete when government contracting authorities need to acquire supplies, services, or works. Public procurement is regulated both at the national and EU levels to guarantee good governance, transparency, and accountability in public expenditure, in addition to its significance to society in stimulating and developing the economy and implementing projects that provide for a social impact. This dissertation compares the functions of the various Departmental Contracts Committees ("DCCs") and the General Contracts Committee ("GCC") in the Maltese public procurement niche focusing specifically on procurement that involves the open and restricted procedures. The dissertation looks at factors that may influence the decisions made by officers selected to serve on these committees and attempts to shed light on the challenges these employees face. Furthermore, the study will assess the potential effects of these supplementary duties on their daily work schedule, specifically regarding job prioritisation and workload distribution that ensures project completion within established tight timeframes. While there is only one GCC, each ministry has its respective DCC setup, and although the functions of both types of committees are established by law, their workings, remits, and composition differ. In this regard, this paper compares the work carried out by the committees and analyses the advantages and cost effectiveness.