Daily procurement news · 22 September 2026 · Episode 1

Brussels drafts a European preference rule for public contracts

Four signals: the Commission’s draft EU Public Procurement Act proposes a European preference framework, Canada and Norway buy defence government-to-government, Polish municipalities apply for 11 billion zł in security loans, and two tenders show what competition really looks like.

In this episode

1. The Commission’s draft EU Public Procurement Act proposes a European preference framework

   The draft of the new EU Public Procurement Act proposes a European preference framework. Law firms call it bold; the first technical advice on making it work is already out. Nothing is law yet.

   • Herbert Smith Freehills: The Commission proposes a European preference framework
   • Open Contracting Partnership: EU’s draft procurement regulation is bold

2. Canada and Norway buy defence government-to-government

   Canada and Norway strengthened defence cooperation through a government-to-government procurement model: one state buys from another instead of running an open tender.

   • Financial Post: Canada and Norway strengthen defence cooperation

3. Polish municipalities apply for 11 billion zł in security loans

   Polish local governments are applying for security loans on a massive scale, 11 billion zł so far: shelters, warning systems, backup power, secure communications, bought by hundreds of small buyers.

   • Rzeczpospolita: Samorządy masowo sięgają po pożyczki na bezpieczeństwo

4. One bidder in Italy, zero bidders in Almere

   Italy’s mega-tender for state travel services received one offer, from Viajes El Corte Inglés. In Almere nobody bid to clean the beaches. One bidder and zero bidders are both signals.

   • GuidaViaggi: Mega-appalto viaggi di Stato, un unico offerente
   • Omroep Flevoland: Wie gaat de Almeerse stranden schoonmaken?

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