MDB procurement frameworks continue to evolve, with increasing emphasis on achieving quality, value and stronger engagement with private market. 

This session will discuss recent developments in MDB procurement practices and their implications for FIDIC contract users. It will consider the experience with Rated Criteria following their introduction, alongside the growing use of Early Market Engagement, increased focus on local labour and job creation, and approaches to assessing Value for Money. 

The session will explore how these evolving procurement approaches are influencing the way projects are prepared, tendered and ultimately delivered, and how objectives and commitments established during procurement can be effectively translated into contractual provisions and monitored throughout implementation. It will also examine the role of Dispute Boards in avoiding and resolving disputes, as well as the approaches adopted by financing institutions, particularly multilateral development banks, to promote effective contract management and dispute avoidance. 

Bringing together the perspectives of MDBs, Employers, Consultants and Contractors, the discussion will identify emerging lessons, practical challenges and opportunities to strengthen the link between procurement strategy and successful contract delivery. 

Key Topics: 

• Rated Criteria – experience and lessons learned since introduction 
• Early Market Engagement and its role in informing procurement strategy and market response 
• Local labour, job creation and skills development 
• Assessment of Value for Money in procurement and contract delivery 
• Translating procurement commitments and evaluation criteria into contractual obligations 
• Implications of evolving MDB procurement practices for Employers, Consultants and Contractors 
• Promoting Dispute Avoidance and effective contract management.