What are the main innovations of the new directive?
The new directive is tailor-made to the specificities of defence and security procurement contracts – namely, complexity and sensitivity. To cope with these specificities, the new directive offers in particular three new elements: The negotiated procedure with publication can be used without restriction. This gives contracting authorities the flexibility to negotiate with suppliers in detail on all features of complex procurement contracts. Specific provisions on security of information are included, which ensure that sensitive information will remain protected against unauthorised access. Special clauses on security of supply will make sure that armed forces will be delivered on time, in particular in times of crisis or armed conflict. On top of that come specific provisions for research and cooperative projects, which are particularly important in the defence sector. All this makes the new directive a perfectly suited instrument for the procurement of defence and sensitive security e
