site.btaParliament Passes Conclusively Amendments to Public Procurement Act

Bulgaria's Parliament Thursday adopted amendments to the Public Procurement Act on second reading.  

Last Friday the legislature approved the first part of the same bill, revising the definition of public procurement and adjusted the estimated value of procurements for activities that are financed directly for more than 50% by public resources, to which the rules of the Act apply. 

The newly adopted amendments establish a standing expert advisory council under the Finance Minister, consisting of representatives of the Finance Ministry, the Public Procurement Agency (PPA), the Public Financial Inspection Agency (PFIA) and the Audit of EU Funds Executive Agency. The Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) will participate by invitation. If necessary, representatives of other competent institutions may be invited to participate in the council’s meetings.

The expert council will oversee the Act's implementation and issue guidelines aimed at ensuring uniform practice of the methodological, control and audit bodies. The guidelines will be are binding on all bodies exercising control over public procurement awards, including those involved in the EU funds management and control system.

The expert advisory council replaces a standing expert council for cooperation provided for by the previous version of the Act, which consisted of representatives of BNAO, PPA and PFIA.

Some of the legislative proposals discussed on Friday concerned the supply of blanks for euro coins, which sparked a debate about a referendum on a delay of the euro changeover in Bulgaria, proposed by Vazrazhdane and rejected by Parliament.