The value of public contracts exceeded 6 billion euros in the four months of 2024, during which direct award contracts once again occupied first place and, in fact, with a very large difference in terms of number.
Based on the data that Central Electronic Register of Public Contracts (KIMDIS), Between January and April 2024, a total of 67,804 contracts were signed, worth 6.252 billion euros. 1,616 contracting authorities were involved in the signing of the contracts, while contractors, i.e. those who concluded a contract, amounted to 22,864. In the same period, there were 1,204 contract extensions, 4,976 amendments and 2,326 cancellations (of contracts).
Regarding the type of contractual procedure in terms of total value, contracts with public tenders come first, while in terms of number, contracts with direct adjustment also constitute the vast majority. Specifically, of the 67,804 contracts, 49,135 (note: including those related to the treatment of Covid-19) are by direct assignment, their percentage being 72% of the total.
Based on quantity
As mentioned above, contracts with public tenders rank first in terms of value, with 10,710 contracts signed worth 3.28 billion euros in the four months under review. In second place (always in terms of value) were contracts with closed procedures, which numbered 732 and whose total value amounted to 1.07 billion euros. Through the negotiation process without prior publication, 2,260 contracts were signed, with a budget of 928 million euros.
Without contracts due to Covid-19, classic contracts with direct adjustment procedures amounted to 48,813, with the total value attributed to them being 796.7 million euros.
The following contract signing procedures are followed based on its value:
- Article 128 procedure: 955 contracts worth €128.8 million
- Summary competition: 1,994 contracts worth 23.4 million euros
- Competitive process with negotiation: 1,293 contracts worth 13.4 million euros
- Negotiation with previous tender: 564 contracts worth 8.5 million euros
- Direct award (Covid-19): 322 contracts worth 5.5 million euros
- Competitive dialogue: 158 contracts worth 507 thousand euros
- Negotiation without prior publication (Covid-19): 2 contracts worth 281 thousand euros
- Innovation partnership: 1 contract worth 15 thousand euros.
Body categories
In terms of contract value, other entities “prevail” with 2.85 billion euros (percentage of 45.47%), in second place are local authorities with 1.6 billion euros (percentage of 25.68%), 1.2 billion euros (percentage of 19.19%) and, lastly, health institutions with contracts worth a total of 604.4 million euros (percentage of 9.67%).
The main conventions
As for the most valuable project, it is the “study, construction and commissioning of the Thessaloniki Metro” with 798 million euros (Hellenic Metro). Among others, they are:
- “Transport works contract between OASA and OSY” worth 685.4 million euros (Athens Urban Transport Authority).
- “Energy saving in companies – a game-changer for companies” worth 110 million euros (Ministry of Environment and Energy).
- “Framework Agreement for the Smart Bridges of the Regions Project” worth 97 million euros (Technical Chamber of Greece).
- “SUB2. Digitization of public health system records” worth 95 million euros (Information Society).
Direct assignments
The huge number of direct award contracts raises many concerns about how the
legitimacy and the conditions for transparency. In fact, last autumn the Court of Auditors also addressed this issue,
which in its investigation found numerous irregularities in direct assignments. The Independent Authority for Public Contracts is in the same vein, which often calls on contracting authorities not to proceed “easily” with direct contracts