Session 3 UNCITRAL Final 221111

8/3/2019 Session 3 UNCITRAL Final 221111

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/session-3-uncitral-final-221111 1/18

UNCITRAL United Nations Commission on International Trade Law

Asia and Pacific Conference on ElectronicGovernment Procurement (e-GP)

for Effective Procurement

22-24 November 2011

The UNCITRAL Model Law on PublicProcurement and the Legal Framework for e-GP

Caroline Nicholas

UNCITRAL

November 2011




UNCITRAL and the Legal Frameworkfor e-GP

• “[e-procurement] is emerging worldwide

with the potential to reform processes,improve market access, and promoteintegrity in public procurement”

• Does the legal framework allow eGP to liveup to these expectations?

http://www.uncitral.org/

http://www.uncitral.org/





Key Policy goals in introducing e-procurement (1)

better

• Transparency

• Participation and competition• Objectivity and accountability

• Efficiency

meaning better value for money





Key Policy goals in introducing e-procurement : (2)

better

• Oversight (external and internal)• Measurement of performance/results

• Identification of risk areas (red flags)

ie enhances accountability and integrity





Policy approach of UNCITRAL

• Encourage e-procurement

– Where appropriate (infrastructure)

• Main policy issues

– Is government e-commerce permitted?

– Safeguards and public confidence

– Don’t over -regulate

– International market access

– Business models

– Treat as a reform issue, not a technology issue





Legal framework for eGP covers:

• e-communications

• e-signatures• e-tenders

• e-reverse auctions

• e-records





E-communications (1)

• “Functional equivalent approach”

– Requirements for writing, record ormeeting can be by satisfied byelectronic means

• Technological neutrality

•

Legal recognition of e-communicationsand e-documents in e-commerce law (andnot in Model Law)





E-communications (2)

• Means of communication chosen by

procuring entity

• No justification

– But safeguards

• Non-discrimination, authenticity, integrity

and confidentiality – Public confidence





E-reverse auctions (1)

Available

• Detailed and precise specifications

• Competitive market

• Common/simple procurement

• Goods, construction and services?

•

Price/additional criteria to be auctioned?• Two types - flexibility





E-reverse auctions – transparency (1)

Solicitation documents to contain

• Criteria to determine the successful bid

• Which elements are to be auctioned and which not

• Price/non-price criteria

• Relative weight of criteria• Mathematical formula





E-reverse auctions – transparency (2)

Solicitation documents to contain

• Any limits on numbers

• Initial bids required

•

Results of any initial bid evaluation• All other relevant information (listed)





Policy issue 1 – don’t over -regulate

• Avoid higher standards for e-procurement

– e-signatures

• UNCITRAL does not require advancedsignatures

– e-tendering requirements

• Authenticity

• Equivalent to previous requirements for papertenders




UNCITRAL and the Legal Framework fore-GP

Policy issue 2 – internationalparticipation

• Market access

– E-procurement systems national only?

• Certification from domestic third party

– UNCITRAL provides for cross-borderrecognition at legal level

– Theory vs practice





Policy issue 3: business model

• Proprietary systems/specialist software

– Restrict access?

• Charges

• Outsourcing

–

Organisational conflicts of interest





Policy issue 4: reform issue (1)

Enhancing value for money

•

New e-techniques – Auctions/Framework agreements

• Greater participation and competition

• “Toolbox” approach to procurement

–Requires discretionary decisions

– Guidance and oversight – ensuring objectivity




UNCITRAL and the LegalFramework for e-GP

Policy issue 4: reform issue (2)

• Enhancing governance – Removal of human interaction

– Transparency enhancing accountability – Record - monitoring trends, red flags

• Enhancing efficiency – Reduced transaction costs and times

– Standardisation of purchases – Better management information – Better processes





Conclusions

• UNCITRAL has a facilitativeapproach to eGP

• With safeguards

•Recognises the value of processreform when implementing eGP





UNCITRAL’s work on procurement:

http://www.uncitral.org/uncitral/en/commission/wor

king_groups/1Procurement.html

Contact:

[email protected]

THANK YOU

Documents

Session 3 UNCITRAL Final 221111