Faced with increasingly high societal expectations, persistent budgetary constraints and the growing complexity of public needs, contracting authorities are having to rethink their purchasing strategies. Far from being mere technical acts, public procurement is becoming a public policy tool in its own right. In this context, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and concessions are powerful levers for innovation, pooling resources and building sustainable solutions with private players. Still little exploited or misunderstood, these tools now deserve strategic attention.

Rethinking public procurement to meet the challenges of tomorrow

PPPs and concessions offer an appropriate response to complex projects involving major investment, extended implementation periods and the need for long-term performance. By involving private operators in the design, financing, construction and management of a public service or infrastructure, these contracts provide flexibility, innovation and operational efficiency.

However, they require rigorous preparation, based on a clear definition of requirements, a balanced distribution of risks and the ability to manage contracts over the long term.

For contracting authorities: securing, innovating and optimising resources

Using a PPP or a concession allows public bodies to boost their procurement, gain access to innovative solutions and pool risks and resources. These contracts make it possible to go beyond the logic of the "lowest cost" in favour of a logic of value over the life cycle of the project.

However, they require a high level of legal, technical and strategic engineering to ensure quality of service, transparency of commitments and robustness of partnerships.

For contractors: an opportunity for partnership growth

For private companies, these contracts are an opportunity to position themselves as long-term partners of the public sector. In exchange for a strong commitment - financial, operational and strategic - the successful tenderers benefit from economic visibility, a stable contractual framework and the opportunity to make the most of their capacity for innovation.

An integrated approach to complex public contracts

Although distinct from traditional contracts, PPPs and concessions fall fully within the legal framework of public procurement. Their success depends on the ability to combine legal rigour, sectoral understanding and long-term contractual monitoring. Their strategic value for public policy lies in this comprehensive approach.

Conclusion

PPPs and concessions are not tools reserved for major infrastructure projects: they are first and foremost mechanisms for optimising and transforming public procurement, provided they are designed as such. For contracting authorities and contractors alike, they open the way to lasting partnership relationships, structured around performance, innovation and responsibility. Their successful implementation, however, depends on professional support capable of bridging the gap between strategy, law and operations.

Sources

• European PPP Expertise Centre (EPEC) - The Guide to Guidance: How to Prepare, Procure and Deliver PPP Projects
• OECD - Public-Private Partnerships: In Pursuit of Risk Sharing and Value for Money
• World Bank - PPP Legal Resource Center
• European Commission - Guidance on Innovation Procurement