Catalonia expands centralized procurement to save 43 million euros

The Government of Catalonia is expanding its centralized procurement system, rebranding the former Central Commission for Supplies and Services as ‘Catalunya Compra Pública’ (CatCP). Under a new decree led by the administration of Salvador Illa, the mandate for centralized purchasing will extend beyond the 16 departments of the Generalitat to include the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut) and 20 other autonomous administrative entities, such as the Catalan Employment Service (SOC).

This structural reform aims to leverage economies of scale to achieve significant savings. Based on an estimated procurement volume of 180.37 million euros for 2025, the government projects annual savings of up to 43 million euros. This figure includes between 18 and 36 million euros in direct price reductions, plus an additional 2.7 to 6.9 million euros gained through reduced bureaucracy and administrative efficiency.

The expansion also seeks to broaden the catalog of goods and services, potentially incorporating minor public works, training, food supplies, and studies. While the new mandate is compulsory for the major entities mentioned, the system maintains a voluntary adhesion model for municipalities, the Parliament, and public universities, allowing them to join specific framework agreements as needed.