Maria Kobanenko and Maria Kuznetsova Will Speak at the Interfax Webinar “State Procurement: Where the Pandemic Has Taken Us and What to Expect in 2021”

On December 9, 2020 from 10:30 to 12:30, the online discussion “State Procurement: Where the Pandemic Has Taken Us and What to Expect in 2021” will be held by Interfax Training Center and EPAM. EPAM Competition Counsel Maria Kobanenko and Competition Associate Maria Kuznetsova will speak at the webinar.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought major changes in the operation of economies, including public procurement. The state has taken a number of expedited steps meant to support state procurement, which is the main channel for both meeting state demands and assisting negatively affected economic sectors. More specifically, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a force majeure, the opportunities to change contract timelines and prices were increased, the procurement procedures were simplified, and the requirements to SMEs were eased. How did the market react to these changes and what problems have the customers and bidders been facing? What is the most common violation now and how can one protect themselves from being added to the Register of Mala Fide Vendors? The attendees will discuss these and other matters:

• What was the effect of the steps taken by the state during the pandemic under laws 44-FZ and 223-FZ? What changes are expected in 2021?
• Easing of the execution of contracts and procurement from sole vendors: what are the current disputes and the case law? 2020 Landmark cases.
• Risks involved in failed procurement and one-bidder procurement.
• 2020 case law as related to being added to the Register of Mala Fide Vendors: what is new and when was a force majeure successfully proven?

Speakers:

• Maria KOBANENKO, Competition Counsel at EPAM;
• Maria KUZNETSOVA, Competition Associate at EPAM;
• Elena ISAEVA, Acting for Deputy Head of the Moscow Directorate of the Russian Antimonopoly.

Attendance is free of charge. Registration at link is required.