The dissertation focuses on a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of above-threshold public construction contracts in the Czech Republic, with an emphasis on the choice of evaluation criteria and its impact on the economic advantage and quality of the resulting projects. At the core of the research lies a comparison between contracts assessed solely on the basis of the lowest bid price and those evaluated using multi-criteria methods. The primary aim of the thesis is to identify tools and procedures that enhance the efficiency and transparency of procurement procedures in accordance with the “Best Value for Money” principle.
The theoretical part of the dissertation defines the key concepts and principles of public procurement (notably the 3E principles – effectiveness, economy, and efficiency) and provides a detailed analysis of the legal framework in the Czech Republic (Act No. 134/2016 Coll., on Public Procurement) as well as relevant European legislation (particularly Directives 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU). Attention is also devoted to the case law of the Regional Court and the Supreme Administrative Court in Brno, as well as to the decision-making practice of the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS), all of which significantly influence the interpretation and application of public procurement rules.
The empirical part of the thesis comprises an analysis of nearly 900 above-threshold public contracts for construction works awarded between 2016 and 2023. To assess effectiveness, multivariate regression analysis (OLS) and other statistical methods were employed, tracking the relationships between the originally estimated contract value, the final contracted, i.e. paid price, the chosen type of evaluation criterion, the frequency of contract amendments, the level of additional costs, the number of bids, and other indicators of economic performance.
The research also included a questionnaire survey among contracting authorities, providing qualitative insight into the motivations behind the choice of evaluation criteria and identifying barriers to effective procurement, in particular concerns over challenges to the outcome of procurement procedures. Analysis of ÚOHS decisions highlighted the degree of formal review of contracting authority procedures, which may discourage the use of more advanced and qualitative evaluation methods.
The results demonstrate that, compared to awarding contracts solely on the basis of the lowest price, multi-criteria evaluation leads to better predictability of costs, a reduced need for change orders, and often higher quality of project execution. Based on these findings, the thesis formulates recommendations for optimizing procurement procedures with the aim of increasing the efficiency and economy of public construction investment.
Thus, the dissertation provides an empirically grounded contribution to the ongoing debate on public procurement reform in the Czech Republic and the European Union, offering specific proposals to improve contracting authority practices, enhance the quality of public investment, and reduce systemic risks associated with the selection of unsuitable contractors.