PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN THE NETHERLANDS: A CASE OF BREAKING TRA-

The use of integrated contracts / innovative procurement has been a subject of debate and research in the Netherlands for the last decade and has subsequently resulted in a large research programme investigating the reform of the construction industry. At the end of the 1990"s an “Innovative Procurement ” (IP) programme was implemented to increase the use of integrated contract forms. This programme was adopted by the state agencies Rijkswaterstaat, ProRail and the Rijksgebouwendienst. For these or-ganisations integrated contracts are the staring point for their procurement strategy and implementation. However, local authorities appear cautious to change their tradi-tional tendering policy towards a more strategic outsourcing policy. Several studies have been conducted, targeting/investigating changes to procurement policy over time within municipalities. The results of studies so far relating to the use of different con-tract forms and barriers for implementation by local authorities will be presented. The results show little change in policy and implementation during the last decade. Currently only a few local authorities are moving away from traditional procurement methods to using a more strategic outsourcing approach. The majority appear to be using more integrated contract forms in an experimental/incidental way but not strate-gically. Also, despite experiencing various problems with traditional contract forms, the aspiration to change policy and implementation is absent. The responsible manag-ers therefore choose a cautious and habitual approach. Yet, there is some positive movement. Due to – national- pressure on local authorities, they seem to be open to a more strategic outsourcing and tendering policy. The evaluation and discussion subsequently focuses on how a more strategic approach can be implemented given the influence of the different decision makers