ABS & Co has drafted the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) Procurement Regulations 2024, marking a historic milestone in Pakistan’s public procurement landscape. These regulations, modelled on the UNCITRAL Model Law on Public Procurement, represent the first time that any public procurement agency has used UNCITRAL’s globally recognized model law as the foundation for its public procurement framework.
The adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law underscores the Authority’s commitment to modernizing procurement practices, ensuring international standards of transparency, fairness, and efficiency in public contracts. The PCBDDA Procurement Regulations 2024 are designed to promote competition, prevent corruption, and maximize value for public resources, setting a new benchmark for public procurement in Pakistan.
Key Innovation: Introduction of Design Contests
Among the many innovative features of these regulations is the introduction of Design Contests, a procurement method designed specifically for acquiring creative works—a first in the history of public procurement in Pakistan. Design Contests are now formally incorporated into the regulations to enable the Authority to procure artistic and creative solutions, particularly in fields such as urban planning, architecture, and engineering.
What is a Design Contest?
A Design Contest is a competitive process used to acquire creative works that cannot be judged solely on objective or technical standards, but instead require an evaluation based on creativity and aesthetic merit. This method is ideal for procurement of urban design, architectural plans, town layouts, and similar works where innovation and design quality are paramount.
Salient Features of the Design Contest:
- Independent Expert Jury: A panel of at least three impartial, highly qualified professionals is appointed to evaluate submissions, ensuring that the best creative solutions are selected.
- Anonymous Evaluation: To maintain fairness and impartiality, Design Contests may be judged anonymously, with the jury focusing solely on the merit of the submissions without any external influence.
- Innovative Creative Focus: The Design Contest is used for projects that require artistic and creative input. It is particularly relevant for urban planning and architecture, where design must not only meet technical requirements but also enhance the visual and functional aspects of the environment.
- Prizes or Procurement Contracts: The contest can lead to the award of a prize or, alternatively, the award of a procurement contract for the execution of the winning design. In cases of procurement contracts, the winner may be directly awarded the contract, or further negotiations may be held with top-ranked participants.
- Intellectual Property Transfer: As a condition of participation, contestants agree to transfer all intellectual property rights of their submissions to the Authority, ensuring that the creative work can be fully utilized in future projects.
This incorporation of Design Contests for the first time sets a new precedent in the public procurement space, encouraging innovation and creativity in the development of the Punjab Central Business District.
Other Noteworthy Features of the PCBDDA Procurement Regulations 2024:
- Framework Agreement Procedures: Allowing for flexible, long-term procurement arrangements with suppliers and contractors.
- Abnormally Low Bids: Ensuring protection against unrealistically low bids, maintaining the integrity and quality of public procurement.
- Enhanced Transparency: Full transparency in procurement processes, with mandatory publication of notices and award decisions.
By adopting the UNCITRAL Model Law as the basis for these regulations, the PCBDDA has taken a bold step toward aligning Pakistan’s procurement system with international best practices. We are honored to have played a role in this groundbreaking development, which will undoubtedly set the standard for future public procurement frameworks in the country.
For more information on the new regulations or how they might impact your business, please contact our team.
