Procurement

Procurement in public administration is regulated by numerous guidelines in order to use resources efficiently and economically and to place orders only with competent, capable and reliable providers at reasonable costs. This process emphasises competition.

BfR Procurement advises scientists and administrative staff on all questions concerning the procurement of goods and services under standardised regulations. Standard marketable goods are procured if possible. Furthermore, Procurement staff continually evaluate the positive potential of synchronised demand in regard to changing needs and market conditions.

The Procurement Section orders from the Kaufhaus des Bundes (the federal administration’s electronic ordering platform) and awards contracts for all orders and services up to an estimated value of 10,000 Euros except in the areas of construction, animal and library needs.

Procurement is in charge of all objects, equipment and office supplies that BfR requires in order to fulfil its administrative and scientific tasks. In 2008 over 5,000 orders at a total value of over 9 million Euros were placed.

If an order is expected to exceed 10,000 Euros, the Procurement Section drafts the specifications and value matrix and proposes the awarding procedure in collaboration with the staff. For the BMEL area of operations, all calls are published and contracts are awarded by the central contracting authority of the German Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE).