Selection of suppliers

Selection procedures for suppliers depend on the typology of contracts and to their inclusion within one of the following macro-categories:

• public tender contracts, awarded following the publication of a tender notice;
• contracts which, based on their value or, as relating to specific services, are considered according to a specific “best offer” sub-threshold procedure.

With reference to public tenders, selection of competitors is based on specific criteria, in addition to economic, financial and technical capabilities of the applicant, in compliance with Legislative Decree 163/2006 or sector regulations, in addition to the principles of competition and  transparency.

In relation to the “best offer” sub-threshold contracts, internal procedures provide for the application of at least five suppliers, among those included in the Suppliers’ Register in compliance with the principle of rotation and considering their characteristics in line with the offer. In addition, for works exceeding the amount of Euro 3 million and for certain service categories of an amount greater than the EU average, the procedure requires the publication on the institutional website of a notice requesting a manifestation of interest. For qualified suppliers of product categories within certified areas and for suppliers with a significant or strategic economic commitment towards SEA, an evaluation during execution of the contract is carried out, in which an opinion is drawn up by the internal user managing the contract, which analyses the operational, organizational and conduct profile of the supplier within the supply contract execution. Any negative outcome of the assessment involves a suspension from the Supplier Register for product category, or an exclusion in the case of serious failure.

Once the contract has been signed, the supplier must comply with several contractual requirements. In addition to qualitative and performance requirements, the supplier is also required to comply with SEA procedure regarding ecological and environmental principles and criteria for suppliers.

In terms of protection of employees, workplace safety laws are strictly enforced, with obligatory reporting of serious infractions and the application of sector labour contracts which provide for, in addition, the application of any supplementary contracts in force at the time or in the location  where work is carried out.

In the contracting phase, compliance with contributory payments previously declared in the qualifying, awarding and contract signing phases is verified.