News
The recent publication of the decree‑law expanding the use of direct award procedures for public or cost‑controlled housing projects introduces significant changes to the Public Contracts Code (CCP), with a direct impact on the construction sector.
In statements to ECO, Miguel Neiva de Oliveira, Partner in the Public Law practice at CCA Law Firm, explains that these changes aim to “stimulate players in the construction sector and strengthen the housing supply, mitigating the imbalance between supply and demand”.
The diploma doubles the thresholds for direct award procedures from €30,000 to €60,000 in the case of public works contracts and concessions, and from €20,000 to €30,000 for contracts for the acquisition of goods and services. The maximum value for the simplified prior consultation procedure is also increased, from €750,000 to €1 million.
Another key new feature concerns the design‑build model, which ceases to have an exceptional character and may now be used as the standard modality, allowing the same entity to develop the project and carry out the works.
According to the lawyer, “by making procedures more flexible and expanding the design‑build regime, the Government seeks to streamline the implementation of public housing projects and accelerate the response to market needs.”
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- ECO