obstarávania

Obstarávania, also known as public procurement, refers to the process by which public sector entities purchase goods, services, and works from the private sector. This process is governed by specific legal frameworks designed to ensure transparency, competition, efficiency, and value for money. The primary goal of public procurement is to obtain the best possible outcomes for taxpayers while upholding principles of fairness and equal treatment for all potential suppliers.

In Slovakia, the legal framework for public procurement is primarily regulated by Act No. 343/2015 Coll. on Public Procurement and on Amendments to Certain Acts, as amended. This act defines the procedures, obligations, and rights of contracting authorities and economic operators. Contracting authorities are typically state bodies, municipalities, and other public institutions that spend public funds. Economic operators are businesses that wish to supply goods, services, or works to these authorities.

The procurement process generally involves several stages, starting with the identification of a need, followed by the preparation of tender documentation, publication of a tender notice, submission of bids by interested parties, evaluation of these bids, and finally, the award of a contract to the most advantageous tender. Various procurement procedures exist, such as open procedures, restricted procedures, negotiated procedures, and competitive dialogue, each suited to different circumstances and contract values. The threshold values for different procurement procedures are stipulated in the law, and certain procurement procedures must be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The principles of public procurement are crucial and include equal treatment, non-discrimination, proportionality, transparency, and mutual recognition. These principles aim to prevent corruption, favoritism, and misuse of public funds. Effective public procurement is seen as a vital tool for achieving public policy objectives, promoting economic development, and ensuring the efficient use of limited public resources.