Consultations

About the Review

On July 21, 2015, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a new policy governing procurement in projects financed by the Bank. The new Procurement Framework will allow the World Bank to better respond to the needs of client countries, while preserving robust procurement standards throughout Bank-supported projects.

The new Procurement Framework will go into effect in 2016. Value for money, sustainable development and integrity are the vision of the new approach. It will help clients get better development results as it gives the World Bank the space and capacity to significantly increase its support to help countries develop their own procurement systems. For the first time, the World Bank will allow any contract award decisions to be based on criteria other than lowest price, including quality and sustainability.

The World Bank started its first comprehensive overhaul of its procurement system in 2012. The goal of the reform was to move from a one-size-fits-all policy to a fit-for-purpose policy.

Consultations

The World Bank consulted widely during the review to ensure that the views of shareholders and stakeholders are represented. A first phase of consultations was held from May 2012 through February 2013. The second phase ran between August and December 2014. In total, the World Bank received input from about 5,000 stakeholders in close to 100 countries, representing government, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

Feedback from Consultations: Phase I

Input from consultations, Independent Advisory Group, World Bank staff, and thematic background studies conducted during the first phase of the review suggests that a new framework should reflect complexity and diversity, take into account proportionality, and support client institutions. Key inputs from the consultations are available in this brief summary. To see the executive summary of all feedback received during the consultations see here.

Feedback from Consultations: Phase II

Stakeholders widely welcomed the proposals of the draft Procurement Framework, especially the core principles of value for money and fit for purpose. Capacity building was at the top of the list of concerns of most stakeholders. A list of comments and Bank responses can be accessed here.

The first phase of the World Bank's review of its operational procurement policy and procedures led to a Proposed New Framework for Procurement in World Bank Investment Operations. This paper was endorsed by Executive Directors of the World Bank Group on November 15, 2013. The review team consulted with about 2,000 stakeholders from 96 countries between May 2012 and February 2013. To see the executive summary of all feedback received during the consultations see here. More feedback summaries available: by region, comments submitted online (PDF), and written statements sent by email (PDF).

Input from consultations, International Advisory Group on Procurement, World Bank staff, and thematic background studies from Phase 1 of the review suggests clearly that World Bank procurement should be guided by an approach that reflects complexity and diversity, value for money, and fit for purpose. Key inputs from the consultations and a few proposed central points for moving forward toward a new policy framework are available in this brief summary.

Detailed summary reports from consultations are available below.

Feedback summary reports

Find the meeting details below:

The second stage of the review was launched on November 15, 2013. This phase focuses on the articulation and implementation of the new policy framework.

A New Proposed Procurement Framework: Phase II was presented to World Bank Executive Directors in July 2014. The World Bank is currently conducting multistakeholder consultations on this framework and the associated policy, procedures, and directives. Feedback received from stakeholders will be incorporated into the final policy, which is expected to be presented to the Board of Executive Directors for their approval in 2015.

Information about opportunities to engage with the Procurement Policy Review will be published here as it becomes available. For any questions regarding the review, please contact the Procurement Policy Review Team at procconsult@worldbank.org. Please also take a look at our Questions & Answers.

Working drafts of the draft procurement framework are available here:

Answers to questions posed in Phase 1 - Annex A
Consultation feedback summary and management response - Annex B
World Bank Directive:  Procurement in IPF and Other Operational Procurement Matters (Working Draft) - Annex D
World Bank Procedure: Procurement in IPF and Other Operational Procurement Matters (Working Draft) - Annex E
Procurement Regulations for Borrowers (Working Draft) - Annex F
Comparison between current World Bank Procurement Policy (OP11.0) and draft Procurement Framework - Annex G
Comparison between current World Bank Procurement Procedure and draft Procurement Framework - Annex H
Comparison between current World Bank Procurement Guidelines and draft Procurement Regulations for Borrowers -Annex I
Proposed Methodology to Assess Alternative Procurement Arrangements in Borrower Implementing Agencies for Procurements financed under IPF (Working Draft) - Annex J
Procurement Framework Implementation Plan (Working Draft) - Annex K
Procurement Framework Implementation Timeline (Working Draft) - Annex K1
Members of the GPA, full, Acceding and observing - Annex L

The Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE) and the Audit Committee of the World Bank's Executive Directors endorsed the proposed New Procurement Framework for Procurement in Investment Project Financing: Phase II on June 10, 2015, and recommended presentation of the draft Procurement Policy to the full Board for final approval. The Framework was submitted to the Board on June 22, 2015 and was disclosed to the public at the same time.

A full Board discussion is scheduled for July 21, 2015. If Executive Directors approve the new Procurement Policy, World Bank Management will finalize and issue the Procurement Directive, Procedure and Regulations and replace the current Procurement Operational Policy (OP 11.00), Procurement Bank Policy (BP 11.00) and the Procurement Guidelines with the new Procurement Framework. Management will also set a day for effectiveness of the new Framework in Fiscal Year 2016, after assessing the readiness of the institution to transition to the new Procurment Framework.