The Virtuous Circle of Public Procurement

Abstract

Traditionally, public procurement was simply conceived as a means for States to acquire goods and services, with price as the sole criterion for efficiency. Other factors, such as quality or social impact, were not given relevance. However, over time, this vision has changed due to social, economic, climatic, and cultural transformations. Today, various public policies are promoted that have given rise to new approaches in public procurement, such as strategic public procurement, green procurement, sustainable public procurement, and the concept of ‘value for money’. These new forms of procurement not only aim to obtain goods and services at fair prices but also seek to generate a positive impact on the social, environmental, and economic landscape. This article explores how the development of public procurement with social value includes criteria such as the promotion of small businesses, gender equity, sustainability, and social inclusion. In this way, public procurement becomes a tool to advance broader objectives, contributing to sustainable development and the creation of a more inclusive and responsible market. This marks a new era in which public procurement aims to fulfill social and environmental goals, beyond merely economic ones.