Introductory and Practitioners Seminar: European Public Procurement Rules, Policy and Practice

The European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) is organising an Introductory & Practitioners Seminar on “European Public Procurement Rules, Policy and Practice” which will take place at EIPA in Maastricht (NL) on 26 - 28 September 2012.
Prior to the seminar, on Tuesday 25 September 2012, EIPA will provide a “Basic Introduction to European Public Procurement for Newcomers to Procurement or Non-Procurement Persons”. The tuition fee for this introductory day is €375.
Participants can choose to attend the 4-day version of the seminar for €1500 or the 3-day version for €1125 (excluding the basic introduction).

Target group
The seminar is intended for public officials from national, sub-national and local authorities and other public bodies from the EU Member States, European institutions and European bodies and candidate countries, who wish to familiarise themselves with European public procurement rules, policy and practice, as well as for other interested persons working in this field, for example representatives from industry and academia.

Description
The seminar will cover the principles and procedures of European public procurement policy, focusing on the Public Procurement Directives, relevant case law and the enforcement of the procurement regime. It will address international aspects of and new initiatives in the EU’s procurement policy.

Method
A mixture of presentations, discussions and cases concerning actual procurement practice to be discussed in working groups.

Objective
The primary aim of this seminar is to present and explain the European rules and principles on public procurement in an accessible way and to enhance awareness of professional procurement practices. The seminar will also include an interactive workshop with specific cases. Most importantly, the seminar will offer an excellent platform for participants to exchange experiences and concerns in dealing with public procurement.

Programme
The Basic Introduction will commence on  25 September 2012 at 09.30.
The Introductory and Practitioners Seminar will commence on Wednesday 26 September 2012 at 09.15 and will finish on Friday  28 September 2012 at 15.00.

Seminar venue
The seminar will take place in the Green Conference Room (1.45) at the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), O.L. Vrouweplein 22, 6211 HE Maastricht (NL), T +31 43 329 62 22, F +31 43 329 62 96.

Working language
The seminar will be conducted in English.

Fee
€1500 Participation in the seminar (4 days):
25 - 28 September 2012
€1125 Participation in the seminar (3 days):
26 - 28 September 2012

The participation fee includes documentation distributed during the seminar, lunches, one dinner and refreshments. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

10% Special discount for civil servants
EIPA offers its members a discount of 10% of the tuition fee for this seminar. This discount is available to all civil servants working for one of EIPA's member countries. For details, please click here

Hotel reservations
The European Institute of Public Administration will be pleased to make reservations for you at a hotel in Maastricht. We have made a block booking at the following two hotels in Maastricht:
Hotel Derlon **** www.derlon.nl  +/- € 125,00 p.p.p.n.
Hotel Beaumont **** www.beaumont.nl  +/- € 99,99 p.p.p.n.

All mentioned hotel prices are including breakfast and tourist tax. Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please indicate the name of the hotel and the dates of arrival and departure on the registration form. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel on checking out. Please note that if you register after the closing date, hotel reservations cannot be guaranteed.

Meals
The lunches will be served at the Institute’s restaurant. The dinner will be at a restaurant in town. Should you require a special menu (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic), please inform the Programme Organiser so that this can be arranged.

Registration
Kindly complete the online registration form before 18 September 2012.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation. Please indicate the method of payment on the registration form. In any case, the participant or his/her administration will receive an invoice for the payment of the registration fee. For cancellations received after the closing date of registration we will have to charge an administration fee of €150 unless a replacement participant is found.

Cancellation policy
EIPA reserves the right to cancel the seminar up to two weeks before the starting date. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, hotel, etc.).For EIPA's cancellation policy, please visit our website.