Malta: Government Contracts, Procurement & PPP

Malta's Water Services Corporation has launched a €35 million tender for a new reverse osmosis plant at Għar Lapsi, designed to produce 30,000 cubic metres of potable water daily through six independent systems. The procurement follows EU utilities directive procedures and requires the existing facility to remain operational throughout the 150-week construction period, with strict phased commissioning deadlines.

Enemalta has initiated a preliminary market consultation for a major 132kV interconnector project linking Malta and Gozo, seeking industry input on technical specifications, risk allocation, and procurement strategy before formal tendering begins. The consultation covers submarine and land-based infrastructure design, with the first phase targeting 160MW export capacity, while offering economic operators a strategic opportunity to shape the project's development and future competitive procurement process.

Malta's Department of Contracts has issued Circular 07/2026, introducing foreign direct investment screening as a mandatory step in public procurement procedures involving critical activities and third-country investors. This development requires contracting authorities and economic operators to navigate new compliance obligations that bridge investment regulation and procurement law, potentially affecting contract award timelines and bidder eligibility assessments.

The European Commission has published the Final Report of its Expert Group on Innovation Procurement.

The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882), a cornerstone of the EU's strategy for a barrier-free internal market, is now in full effect for the vast majority of economic operators.

Initially issued in September 2023, the tender was cancelled by the Local Council without explanation, despite the Evaluation Committee having identified a preferred, technically compliant bidder.

Just a few days ago, the European Commission published its communication titled 'Public Procurement: A data space to improve public spending, boost data-driven policy-making and improve access...

Earlier this year, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market)...

A report on the workings of the Public Contracts Review Board (PCRB) in 2022 has been published recently.