Ministry of Health seeks explanations regarding the public procurement for the children's hospital

The Ministry of Health has sent a letter to the director of the Health Investment Company for a Children’s Hospital (HICCH), Desislava Malinova, requesting detailed information and justification regarding the announced public procurement for the design and architectural supervision of the National Children’s Hospital. This was reported by the Ministry.

The request was prompted by expert opinions received, as well as an internal analysis of the procedure’s documentation. The letter formulates over 20 questions covering key aspects of the public procurement—the choice of procedure, selection criteria, participation conditions, payment structure, evaluation method, and technical requirements.

Among the main topics for which clarification is sought is the decision to choose an open procedure instead of a design contest under the Public Procurement Act. The Ministry points out that a contest-based approach is more suitable for projects of high public significance, as it allows for broader participation, including international teams, and emphasizes the quality of the architectural and functional solution.

The letter also raises the question of whether the technical requirements are formulated in a way that guarantees high quality or if they create conditions for selecting a contractor based on the lowest price. Additionally, clarification is required on whether the criteria for “similar experience” are excessively restrictive and lead to a narrowing of competition.

The health ministry emphasizes that the National Children’s Hospital project is of exceptional public importance and requires full transparency, equal access, and the selection of the best solution while ensuring the effective use of public resources.

The letter further notes that if significant changes are necessary, the procedure may be terminated and re-announced with refined conditions. Upon receiving the responses and following a subsequent analysis, the Ministry will take action within the framework of the law.

The full text of the letter can be viewed here.