Procurement process will always present challenges, says Mark von Wietersheim
In the heart of Europe, a group of around 450 professionals gather annually to discuss, debate, and shape the future of procurement law. Known as the Forum Vergabe, this organisation was established in 1993 in Cologne with a mission to promote and advance procurement law.
The Forum Vergabe's membership primarily hails from Germany, but it also includes members from Austria and Switzerland. Among its ranks are municipal and state procurers, federal ministries, contractors, lawyers, consultants, and law firms.
One of the key figures in the Forum Vergabe is Mark von Wietersheim, who has been its managing director since 2009. Before joining the Forum, von Wietersheim worked for Deutsche Bahn from 2000 to 2009, where he was responsible for construction procurement law.
The development of procurement law in Germany has been significantly influenced by experts such as Karsten Köhler, a certified specialist in public procurement law. Köhler, who has been active in the field since 2002, has advised on complex public procurement projects, particularly in the energy and construction sectors, and shared his knowledge through lectures and publications in specialized magazines like Vergaberecht.
This year, the Forum Award Dialogues, one of the specialist events organized by the Forum Vergabe, will focus on national and European procurement law reforms, increased contract value thresholds in the federal states, and the "procurement law transformation." The Dialogues will also discuss the further development of procurement law in relation to digitization, sustainability, and supply chain resilience.
In addition to the Dialogues, the Forum Vergabe is hosting an EU-wide workshop on "Intensifying Competition in Public Procurement." This event, intended for public authorities and bidders, aims to discuss how legal developments can foster more open and efficient procurement processes. The workshop will highlight recent jurisprudence by the Court of Justice of the European Union and its practical impact on competition and procurement transparency.
The upcoming meeting in September will mark the 10th anniversary of the Dialogues being held in Fulda. The location was changed from Cologne to Fulda in 2011.
For more information about the Forum Award, please contact Wolfgang Leja at w.leja@our website.
The Forum Vergabe's influence on German procurement law is evident in its expert members' contributions to shaping law interpretation and application, particularly in sectors such as energy and construction. As the Forum continues to meet annually, its discussions are likely to centre on enhancing competition, transparency, and legal clarity in procurement.
The technological advancements in digitalization and sustainability may find a significant place in upcoming discussions within the Forum Vergabe, as the organization aims to further develop procurement law in these areas. Among the various members of the Forum Vergabe, education-and-self-development opportunities, such as specialized lectures and publications in magazines like Vergaberecht, are pivotal for the ongoing growth and success of its members.
