Checkmate for direct contracting?: the controversial regime of minor contracts

Abstract

The Ley 9/2017, de 8 de noviembre, de Contratos del Sector Público has meant a reform of administrative legislation with a double component, technical and political. The widespread social criticism of the situation of public procurement, often related to corruption, has led the reform beyond the incorporation of community directives. This has materialized mainly through parliamentary work. Among other things, this has resulted in a more restrictive regulation of contracting without public bidding. Although the «minor contracts» (of small amount) subsist, their regime is now much more restrictive. However, the interpretations so far expressed by different administrative bodies have been in almost all cases in the sense of restricting the relevance of the reform.