At Masaryk University we are looking for sustainable and socially responsible solutions. One of them is responsible public procurement (RPP). Masaryk University is a public contracting authority and since 2009 has been awarding public contracts electronically. With 123 own buildings and managed assets worth over CZK 16 billion, there is considerable scope for taking social and environmental aspects into account in the spirit of RPP. In 2016, the university signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, thereby subscribing to the principles of socially responsible public procurement.
In its long-term strategic plan for 2021-2028, Masaryk University commits to responsible purchasing with the following goals and measures.
Sustainably and responsibly manage the renewal, development and construction of the university infrastructure as well as the acquisition of related technologies and equipment to ensure adequate functional facilities for excellent research and quality teaching as well as a pleasant environment for students and staff
“Masaryk University perceives the concept of socially responsible procurement as an obligation or necessity if we want to spend the public funds we manage in a meaningful way.”
Mgr. Martin Hadaš, LL.M.
Head of the Public Procurement Department
Find inspiration in the projects of your colleagues or classmates. Together, let's create a more sustainable environment, not only on campus.
The forthcoming strategy is based on MUNI's 2021-2028 strategic priorities and aims to ensure that all staff involved in the procurement of goods, services and works within the University routinely consider how we can contribute through our purchasing decisions to the quality and health of life for all generations, the protection of the environment and a free, cohesive and safe society.
The University's sustainable procurement priorities have been defined and these will be considered in procurement decisions and promoted particularly through the designated purchasing departments/units. Specifically, these priorities are as follows:
Based on the Responsible Public Purchasing Strategy, specific annual implementation plans will be developed and implemented by the individual purchasing departments. The implementation of these plans will be monitored and reported by the Head of the PPD to the Bursar, who is the guarantor of this area of sustainable development at Masaryk University.
Inter-university project University leaders in SDGs
Masaryk University is the coordinator of the upcoming CRP project UNILEAD for 2022, in which 24 Czech universities are participating with the aim to create a network of contacts on university sustainable development issues and to develop sets of recommendations for universities within 10 selected thematic areas. One of the themes is the area of sustainable purchasing, which Masaryk University guarantees on behalf of the Head of the Public Procurement Department.
The University sees a great added value in the abandonment of the evaluation of public procurement solely on price. It is considering the use of non-price criteria and quality evaluation where this is beneficial. In this respect, Masaryk University has been greatly inspired by meetings with foreign contracting authorities, especially from the UK and the Netherlands, where evaluation only on the lowest price is used very limited. On the contrary, the emphasis is on obtaining the so-called value for money.
Since 2016, the University has been working with a team from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs on the project "Supporting the implementation and development of socially responsible public procurement". The University is also a member of the Responsible Public Procurement Platform, an informal group of public procurers who subscribe to a strategic approach to public purchasing and implement responsible public procurement in their practice. A key part of the Platform is sharing good practice and networking with other members and experts in the field of responsible public procurement.
Transparent communication with suppliers
Masaryk University also strives to reduce the administrative burden as much as possible in its tenders.
For example, tenders for the purchase of a fully automated storage system for the biobank (estimated value of CZK 26.7 million excluding VAT) or for waste management services - ensuring the collection and disposal of individual types of waste (estimated value of CZK 10.4 million excluding VAT) were implemented in 2020 in the form of a tender.
Masaryk University has incorporated the intention to RPP into its internal directive regulating public procurement processes as well as into the Strategic Plan 2021+.
For construction contracts, the University uses the requirement that the contractor ensures legal employment, fair and dignified working conditions and an adequate level of occupational safety for all persons who will be involved in the subject of performance.
When making your own purchases, develop your own responsible behaviour, consider:
