Glossary of Public Procurement Terms in Spain #

Procedures #

• Procedimiento Abierto: Open Procedure: A procurement process where any interested supplier may submit a bid. This process is fully open to all potential suppliers to encourage wide competition.
• Procedimiento Restringido: Restricted Procedure: A two-stage process where suppliers first submit applications demonstrating their capacity. Only selected suppliers are then invited to submit tenders.
• Procedimiento Negociado: Negotiated Procedure: A process where the contracting authority negotiates directly with one or more suppliers without a fully open competition. Used in specific circumstances.
• Diálogo Competitivo: Competitive Dialogue: A procedure for complex contracts where the contracting authority discusses all aspects of the contract with suppliers before final bids are submitted.
• Acuerdo Marco: Framework Agreement: An agreement with one or more suppliers that sets out terms and conditions under which specific purchases (call-offs) can be made throughout the term of the agreement. Frameworks do not guarantee any volume of orders.
• Sistema Dinámico de Adquisición (SDA): Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS): An electronic procurement process for commonly used goods, works, or services. It remains open throughout its duration for new suppliers to join if they meet the specified criteria.

Key Documents #

• Anuncio de Licitación: Contract Notice: A public announcement inviting suppliers to express interest and bid for a contract. It includes essential details about the procurement, such as scope, eligibility criteria, deadlines, and submission procedures.
• Anuncio de Adjudicación: Contract Award Notice: A public announcement informing stakeholders of the successful supplier(s) chosen following a procurement process, along with key details of the awarded contract.
• Pliego de Cláusulas Administrativas Particulares (PCAP): Tender Documents: A set of documents provided to potential suppliers detailing the specifications, requirements, and conditions of the contract.
• Solicitud de Participación: Call for Expressions of Interest: A preliminary step inviting suppliers to express interest in a potential procurement project, often used to gauge market interest and capability.
• Solicitud de Propuesta (SdP): Request for Proposal (RFP): A document requesting suppliers to propose solutions and prices for specific goods or services, typically used in negotiated procedures or competitive dialogues.
• Cuestionario de Calificación Previa: Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ): A document used to shortlist suppliers based on their capacity, financial standing, and experience before inviting them to tender.

Key Roles #

• Comprador: Buyer: The contracting authority or entity responsible for procuring goods, services, or works. This term can refer to individuals or departments within public sector organizations.
• Proveedor: Supplier: Any individual or organization that provides goods, services, or works in response to procurement opportunities.
• Poder Adjudicador: Contracting Authority: Any public sector organization that has the legal authority to enter into contracts for goods, services, or works.
• Responsable de Contratación: Procurement Officer: An individual responsible for managing the procurement process, from planning and sourcing to contract management.
• Comisión de Evaluación: Evaluation Panel: A group of individuals responsible for assessing and scoring tender submissions against the evaluation criteria set out in the tender documents.

Evaluation Procedures #

• Oferta Económicamente Más Ventajosa (MEAT): Most Economically Advantageous Tender: An evaluation method used to determine the best value for money by considering various criteria such as price, quality, technical merit, and sustainability.
• Criterios de Adjudicación: Award Criteria: The specific factors and metrics against which tender submissions are assessed. These can include price, quality, delivery time, and after-sales service.
• Sistema de Evaluación: Evaluation System: A tool used to systematically score and compare tender submissions against the award criteria.
• Matriz de Evaluación: Evaluation Matrix: A document or tool used to record and compare the scores of different tender submissions.
• Preguntas de Clarificación: Clarification Questions: Questions posed by the procurement team to suppliers during the evaluation process to clarify aspects of their tender submissions.
• Periodo de Standstill: Standstill Period: A mandatory pause period between the notification of the contract award decision and the signing of the contract, allowing unsuccessful suppliers to challenge the decision if necessary.

References #

• Ley de Contratos del Sector Público (LCSP): The legal framework governing public procurement in Spain.
• Dirección General del Patrimonio del Estado (DGPE): The department providing guidance and policies on public procurement.
• Plataforma de Contratación del Sector Público: The central platform for public procurement opportunities in Spain.

This glossary provides a comprehensive overview of the key terms and procedures in the public procurement landscape in Spain, with English descriptions to facilitate understanding.