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Public procurement

Public procurement refers to the purchase by governments and state-owned enterprises of goods, services and works. As public procurement accounts for a substantial portion of the taxpayers’ money, governments are expected to carry it out efficiently and with high standards of conduct in order to ensure high quality of service delivery and safeguard the public interest.

12% of GDP

is the amount spent in OECD countries on public procurement

More data here

MAPS: An assessment tool

The Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) provides a tool which all countries can use to assess the quality and effectiveness of procurement systems.

Delivering basic services such as health, infrastructure and energy

Health

Existing estimates suggest that one-fifth of health spending could be channelled towards better use. Operational and governance-related waste in the health sector can be decreased by transparent and efficient public procurement of pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies.

Infrastructure and energy

Public procurement is used by governments to invest in public infrastructures which requirements are estimated at USD 71tn by 2030. Sound public procurement management can lead to substantial savings, enhanced productivity and improved services.

Ensuring good value for money through efficiency and integrity

Evaluation and efficiency

Large sum of public resources--thus taxpayers' money--spent on public procurement requires not only sound stewardship but also that it be carried out in an efficient way. In the pursuit of efficiency gains, governments continuously develop, implement and revise their procurement systems and various mechanisms and tools.

Integrity

Public procurement is one of the government activities highly vulnerable to corruption. The financial interests at stake, the volume of transactions and the close interaction between public and private sectors in the award of public contracts all pose risks to integrity.

Achieving innovative, social and environmental policy objectives

Green Procurement

By using their purchasing power to choose goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact, governments can make an important contribution towards sustainability goals. High-impact sectors are: buildings, food and catering, vehicles and energy-using products.

Innovation

Public procurement offers an enormous potential market for innovative products and services. Used strategically, it can help governments boost innovation at both the national and local level and ultimately improve productivity and inclusiveness.

Socially Responsible Procurement

Governments can lead by example by incorporating responsible business standards (RBC objectives) in their purchasing policies and practices, to safeguard the public interest and ensure the accountability of public spending.

OECD Support

The OECD supports governments in reforming their public procurement systems to ensure long-term sustainable and inclusive growth as well as trust in government

Country projects

The OECD supports countries in reforming their procurement systems by assessing them and providing proposals for improvements as well as supporting tools.

Policy Dialogue

Find out about the networks working with the OECD on procurement:

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