Following the publication of the World Bank's revised Procurement Policy Paper dated 18 October, 2013, which is to be implemented in the course of 2014, the three federations jointly prepared a position paper in support of the broad principles, but drew attention to a number of issues that could result from the new policies.
These mainly concern a potential drop in the procurement quality for large and complex infrastructure projects. Therefore, FIDIC, CICA, and EIC called upon the World Bank to ensure that its Standard Bidding Documents for Consultants and Works should remain mandatory for such projects. In the event that the Bank does accept national procurement arrangements for large and complex works, at least the use of the FIDIC standard forms should be mandatory.
FIDIC, CICA, and EIC outlined that the GPA and UNCITRAL sample documents cannot serve as a yardstick for “equivalent” or “acceptable” procurement practices in a given country and that the World Bank still offered an important role in setting and maintaining effective procurement policies and procedures.
The federations also called for a significant role for the International Advisory Group on Procurement (IAGP) in the coming months as well as another round of public consultations after the first part of the implementation process.
The Executive Directors of the World Bank Group approved the Proposed New Framework on Procurement in World Bank Investment Project Finance in November 2013. The vision statement of this new approach to procurement is “Value for money with integrity in delivering sustainable development.” The Bank's management is now working on an implementation plan with the next phase of consultations planned for Spring 2014. FIDIC, CICA and EIC will continue to be closely involved in the consultations, and encourages all member associations and firms to support the initiatives.
Procurement Proposed New Framework October 18 Final.pdf
Joint PP_CICA-FIDIC-EIC_WB Procurement_New Framework_final.pdf
