Procurement, Inarcassa Foundation: “Law delegating public contracts to give continuity to change”

“The legislative context within which it is proposed to affect the delegated law on public contracts being examined by the commission in the Senate appears fragmented, unclear, extremely fluid and in constant evolution”. This is what Franco Fietta, president of the Inarcassa Foundation, which today represents in Italy around 180,000 freelance engineers and architects, declared at the hearing at the 8th Public Works Commission of the Senate on 26 October. “We hope – explains Fietta – that with the delegated law on public contracts we can finally give continuity to the process of change in the sector, which since the introduction of Legislative Decree 50/2016, is faced with a complex system of rules and numerous application problems on the part of economic operators in the sector, with negative effects on competition. The Inarcassa Foundation remains convinced that a great effort is needed in terms of simplifying the tender procedures, as long as this does not penalize the quality of the design and the safety of the works “, he explains further.” The architecture and engineering services – continues Fietta – must represent a fundamental pillar of the entire construction process of public works. The purpose of the delegation is, on the one hand, to simplify the regulations in force relating to works, services and supplies, and, on the other, to prevent the European Commission from starting infringement procedures. The choice of the designer is fundamental for the success of the construction activity: on this point, Fondazione Inarcassa insists on the independence and impartiality of the designer – also and above all to ensure the transparency of the procedures and prevent corruption – and on its role as guarantor of the Public Administration “.” Furthermore, to solve the problems of the Public Administration, the use of integrated contracts is of little use, as it renounces the control of the project and its centrality: on the contrary, it is essential that the design centers limit themselves to management and setting roles of the projects “, adds Fietta. In terms of fair compensation for professional services, Fondazione Inarcassa underlines how by limiting the reductions on architecture and engineering services to the maximum, it will be possible to have, by drawing on the market, high-level multidisciplinary projects essential to guarantee quality and durability of the works, time and cost savings. “The quality of the design is the b ase to determine the achievement of the objectives required in a public work, as well as the criterion that allows concrete savings to the Public Administration. Therefore, competition in the market for architecture and engineering services must be based on quality and not on price ”, concludes Fietta.