Trentino Procurement System Under Review Amid Debate and Price Concerns

“We have sensed a feeling of discomfort, but no official protests,” says Dr. Alessandro Ceschi, director of the Consorzio dei Comuni trentini. He dismisses the idea of a sort of revolt among the municipalities regarding the current procurement system in Trentino, but at the same time, he recognizes that the debate is open and that the issues raised by some (the ones experiencing discomfort, indeed) should be kept “hot.”

Commitment and Evaluations on the Procurement System

“The system for excluding anomalous bids,” says Ceschi, “is not easy to evaluate because the changes were made recently, and the results need to be assessed over the long term. It is true that in the immediate term, there has been a rise in prices (with lower bid reductions), but it is equally true that large bid reductions, facilitated by ‘reduced anomalous exclusions,’ risk allowing projects to be awarded to companies that, with the contract in hand, end up saving on essentials, including nails.”

There is, therefore, attention from the Consorzio, which has recently equipped itself with qualified consulting to address the issues related to tenders. This cautious approach is essential, especially because the rules have also changed regarding “entitled participants” in the auctions. From registration in the Albo Costruttori, the system has shifted to Società di certificazione, which, however, are not yet fully operational.