BESTEK - The Public Procurement Podcast

In this episode, Marta and Willem explore how artificial intelligence could support more sustainable public procurement practices— and the risks that come with it. The conversation builds on Marta’s co-authored recent open-access article, “Leveraging AI for Sustainable Public Procurement: Opportunities and Challenges.” They begin by outlining the motivation and context for the research, before exa...

In this episode, Marta and Willem discuss the hot topic of the ongoing Irado case and the impacts it is set to have on the world of European Public Procurement Law. How to calculate the activities criterion in article 12 Directive 2014/24/EU? They begin the episode with a short chat about their recent conferences, before moving to a brief introduction to the case and the related unclarities in the...

In this episode, Marta and Willem invite a long-time listener and supporter of the Bestek podcast and a postdoctoral fellow at PurpLE, Ezgi Uysal, to discuss her research on the topic of sustainability contractual clauses (SCCs) in public procurement contracts. The podcast begins with Ezgi briefly explaining what the SCCs are and what makes them unique, before quickly diving into a discussion abou...

In this episode, Associate Professor Marta Andhov and Professor Willem Janssen discuss a particularly exciting topic - the upcoming reform of the EU’s Public Procurement Directives. They begin by describing the reform’s timeline and discussing how it is being affected by the current geopolitical setting. In their discussion, they assess the focal points of the reform, as described by reports of En...

In this episode, Associate Professor Marta Andhov and Professor Willem Janssen discuss circularity, and how it relates to public procurement. The hosts begin by introducing the concept of circularity, its promises as well as some points of skepticism. They also explain the concept of the R scale - a useful tool in determining the circularity of an economy. They then move on to the legal aspects an...

In this episode, Associate Professor Marta Andhov and Professor Willem Janssen discuss the intersection of public procurement and contract law. The topic of the research project PurpLE (Purchase Power – Sustainable Public Procurement Through Private Law Enforcement) led by Marta. This episode provides an introduction to an upcoming series of episodes that will dive deeper into its individual aspec...

In this episode, Marta and Willem discuss interdisciplinary work in public procurement and law in general. They reflect on their many personal experiences of working across disciplines and examine the recent push for interdisciplinary work in academia. They evaluate the positives, the negatives, and the relevance of both simple mono-disciplinary work in public procurement law, and inter-disciplina...

In this episode, Marta and Willem explore the latest developments in EU Public Procurement, focusing on the new exclusion grounds introduced by sectoral legislation following the European Green Deal. They begin by outlining the framework of mandatory and voluntary exclusion grounds established under European Directive 2014/24/EU before delving into specific examples of new sectoral legislation tha...

In this episode, Marta and Willem explore the resurgence and presence of buy local policies in the public procurement context. They discuss it broadly on a global scale, and then zoom in on specific buy local implementation issues when it comes to the procurement of food by public authorities. What to do with criteria and condition related to zero miles, EU geographical indicators, time of deliver...

In this episode, Willem and Marta discuss visual contracting in the context of public procurement. Can it improve the contracting process? If so, how? They explore the potential of visual contracts and the possibilities to apply it in the public sector based on Marta's forthcoming publication in PPLR. For dessert, they look at their best and worst presentations to share their learnings from them.

In this episode, Vitezslav Titl and Willem Janssen discuss single bidding in the EU, based on a current debate about the lack of interest in public procurement from the side of the market. Sparked by the report by the Court of Auditors, and due to developments in many of the Member States, they discuss Vita’s research on this topic and how the legal changes implemented in Czechia could inspire oth...

In this episode, Marta and Willem delve into the complex and critical world of US public procurement and sustainability with Steven Schooner from George Washington University Law School. They ask intriguing questions such as: What does the landscape of public procurement look like across different development tiers in the US, and how does sustainability fit into this picture? Why are executive ord...

In this episode, Annamaria La Chimia (Nottingham University) and Marta discuss the fascinating world of development aid and procurement. What does this world look like? Where do interesting procurement questions pop up? Why should all of us know more about this international side of public procurement? Tune in now to learn more. In the dessert section, they discuss leadership in academia. What doe...

In this episode, Marta and Willem start by discussing the role of public procurement law in addressing climate change, emphasizing its supportive capacity in mitigation efforts and how it interacts with various legal disciplines, including environmental, competition, and constitutional law. For the main, they dig into the nuances of sustainable procurement, emphasizing the distinction between poli...

In this episode, Marta invites Willem to discuss his new book (co-edited with Roberto Caranta) on mandatory sustainability Requirements in EU Public Procurement Law. (out in October at Hart) Why is this topic in which the EU seems to move from regulating 'how to buy' towards 'what to buy' in need of discussion? What academic questions are relevant to ask for all those involved in sustainable publi...

In this episode, Marta Andhov talks with Dominic Dagbanja - a senior law lecturer and researcher (University of Western Australia) specialising in international investment law and in the consequences of investment and trade treaties for public interest regulation. They start by pointing out to practical relevance of knowing about the intersection of public procurement and free trade agreements. Fu...

In this Bestek podcast episode, Marta and Willem discuss proportionality (the Dutch way) and edited volumes. First, they start by explaining why the proportionality principle is essential in the EU and public procurement law context. Further, they dig into the Dutch proportionality guide. They focus on discussing its purpose, legal standing and content. For the dessert, the hosts talk about the ch...

`In this episode, Willem and Marta discuss the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and it's impact on public procurement. How will this new regulation affect public procurement procedures? What are initial discussion points? And how could they be resolved? For desert, they discuss events after the pandemic. What are relevant choices in organising events in this new era?

In this podcast episode, Marta and Willem discuss CJEU Judgments in Sanresa (C-295/20) and Klaipėdos (C-927/19). In doing so, they pay special attention to Article 58 of Directive 2014/24/EU, the Court's differentiation between technical specification, selection criteria and contract performance conditions, and the differentiation between economic standing and the ability to pursue professional ac...

In this episode of Bestek, the public procurement podcast, Willem and Marta discuss reserved procedures and the ASADE (C‑436/20) and Conacee (C-598/19) Judgements in the context of socially responsible public procurement. They focus on two explicitly legislated reserve procedures - those for sheltered workshops and social enterprises - and discuss how these procedures fit into the broader context...

In this episode, Marta and Willem dig into the Clean Vehicles Directive and its implications for public procurement. In doing so, they put it into the context of the EU Green Deal. They also briefly touch on the specificities of the CV Directive and its revision. Most importantly, they emphasize first sectoral mandatory sustainable criteria imposed on public procurers and economic operators. Addit...

In this episode, Marta, Willem, and their guest, dr. Rasmus Horskjær Nielsen discuss award criteria and evaluation methods in public procurements. In doing so, Rasmus explains the difference between relevant and controllable competition concepts. In addition, they debate whether there is such a thing as objective criteria For the dessert, you can hear what Rasmus would do differently if he did his...

In this episode, Marta and Willem, along with their guest Prof. Ole Hansen discuss the modification of construction contracts. They explore why in practice, there is often a need for modification in construction contracts and how it is addressed with reference to principles of loyalty and reciprocity. They point out that the rules concerning modification of public contracts do not always represent...

In this episode, Willem & Marta welcome guest Dr. Alexandra Andov and discuss the topic of digital technologies and contract management. They explore the distinctions between contract formation and contract execution, as well as the use of digital technologies in the management phase, such as negotiation, electronic signatures, computational contracts, and transparency. For dessert, they open up a...

In this episode, Willem & Marta discuss both the differences and analogies between framework agreements and public contracts. They delve into the national case law and highlight practical issues arising from this differentiation. For the dessert, they tackle the question of how to deal with the criticism in Academia and give advice on how to give constructive feedback.