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Last edited 30 Dec 2020

An Architect's Guide to Public Procurement

An Architect's Guide to Public Procurement, was written by architect and Director of iPM, Fin Garvey. It was published by RIBA Publishing in October 2015.

The book suggests it focusses on '…dispelling the myths and differentiating the genuine impact of EU law from other factors that may serve to diminish the quality of outcomes.' It does this from the perspective of suppliers of architectural services.

The timing of the book is a little unfortunate, given our decision to leave the European Union (EU), and this sense that it may be a little behind the times is not helped by a peculiar decision to superimpose hatching on key pages, which makes them difficult to read.

However, as the process of leaving the EU is likely to take several years, and even then, legislation that originated from EU directives may stay in place in the form of UK regulations, the book remains relevant and a valuable introduction for architects grappling with swathes of impenetrable procedures.

Garvey suggests that there is '…much suspicion in the UK and across Europe that the introduction of new European directives… and their transposition into national regulations, has prompted an abandonment of common sense, and has introduced a regime of conservatism and legal risk-aversion that leads to the delivery of the mediocre and the banal.'

It is not clear what the evidence is for this statement, or why it is necessary in the context of explaining EU law. The first few pages of the book adopt an unnecessary confrontational tone, not supported by the subsequent chapters, citing an obsessive use of 'cut and paste' procurement methodologies and a deficient understanding by procuring entities, then immediately introducing the concept of effective recourse for suppliers.

However, it quickly moves on from this slightly subjective assessment to consider the more objective legal context, and the move from informal guidance to regulation that has been created by the single market. It assesses when, and what EU law might apply, and describes with great clarity the procedures and terminology introduced by EU law and the powers of contracting authorities. It considers how suppliers might participate in public projects, the barriers to qualification, and award criteria.

It also sets out the architect's rights, and how to mount legal challenges to the process. This is a valuable description of the mechanisms available, but they are certainly not actions architects' will take lightly.

The book considers strategies for success, and closes with an assessment of the future (focussing on e-procurement and BIM rather than Brexit).

An Architect's Guide to Public Procurement is best when it sticks to the facts, rather than wandering into broader assessments of motives, quality and marketing. It could benefit from a more targeted title, making clear it focusses specifically on EU law, rather than wider or national issues related to public procurement. However, it provides a valuable introduction for architects entering a complex area.