How the SIA is setting new standards in procurement
Swissbau 2026 offers the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects the opportunity to analyze developments in procurement since 2024. The focus is on successes, new opportunities and existing challenges. These include project alliances, quality discussions, market observation and the integration of sustainable criteria.
Project alliances are gaining in importance and are not only being piloted by major clients such as SBB and FEDRO, but are also on the agenda throughout the industry. The new Federal Act on Public Procurement (BöB) provides more scope for quality assessment in tenders. The purely price-driven competition is slowly fading into the background. Nevertheless, the administrative burden remains high and dumping offers are still an issue that is not yet optimally controlled.
Market observation and contract award monitoring
Another milestone is the expansion of market observation and contract award monitoring through cooperation with Bauenschweiz. The SIA observatories for competitions and tenders collect both quantitative and qualitative data. At municipal level in particular, the specially developed online tool “Planning procurement” facilitates the implementation of the new requirements and provides planning security.
Potential for the entire sector
Pilot projects and the pro-allianz.ch association highlight the industry’s desire for partnership-based and project-centred forms of organization. The SIA actively promotes the exchange of knowledge and supports new alliances with the aim of placing collaborative work and project success above traditional competitive models.
Competition regulations updated
The SIA 142 and SIA 143 regulations for competitions and study commissions have been extensively revised and introduced in August. Aspects such as copyright, remuneration procedures, fairness and transparency are now given greater weight. The revision was developed together with public clients and increases acceptance on both sides.
Focus on sustainability criteria and remuneration
In addition to ecological aspects, items such as economic, macroeconomic, social and cultural sustainability are given greater weight in the procurement processes. The content, definition and implementation of sustainability is being continuously developed in working groups and with event formats such as “post-fossil competitions”. Another priority topic is the appropriate remuneration of planning services. Digital platforms and new fee regulations are intended to strengthen fairness and transparency so that planning offices are remunerated in line with the market and in a transparent manner in future.