BESTEK - The Public Procurement Podcast
dr. Willem A. Janssen and dr. Marta Andhov 50 afleveringen okt. 22, 2026
BESTEK is a podcast about public procurement and the law. It is hosted by dr. Willem A. Janssen and dr. Marta Andhov, who discuss legal issues, policy questions, and practical challenges in public procurement. The show is aimed at anyone interested in how procurement rules shape public buying and contracting.
Afleveringen
#49: Should Defence Contracts Be Allowed to Skip the Normal Rules?
Host Dr Marta Andhov presents an aperitif episode of the Bestek public procurement podcast, featuring the first half of the “Contracts in the Defence and Security Sector” panel from the PurpLE Project’s Public Procurement & Contracts Conference in Copenhagen (22–23 June 2026), moderated by Associate Professor Michał Kania (University of Silesia in Katowice).
The discussion asks whether defence co
#48: If a Government Breaks Procurement Rules, What Can a Bidder Actually Do?
Host Dr Marta Andhov presents an aperitif episode of the Bestek public procurement podcast, featuring clips from “Remedial Systems in Public Contracts Law vs Non-Legislative Measures”, a panel she chaired at the Public Procurement & Contracts Conference in Copenhagen (PurpLE Project, 22–23 June 2026).
The episode asks what a bidder can do when a public authority breaks its own procurement rules.
#47: You Write Sustainability Into the Contract. Does Anyone Actually Check?
Host Dr Marta Andhov presents an aperitif episode of the Bestek public procurement podcast, featuring excerpts from the “Sustainability in Performance of Public Contracts” panel, moderated by Dr Ezgi Uysal (PurpLE postdoctoral researcher, University of Copenhagen), at the Public Procurement & Contracts Conference hosted by the PurpLE Project in Copenhagen (22–23 June 2026).
The episode asks what
#46: Is the EU Actually Simplifying Procurement, or Just Adding More Rules?
Host Dr Marta Andhov presents an aperitif episode of the Bestek public procurement podcast, featuring the conversation that opened Day 2 of the Public Procurement & Contracts Conference (PurpLE Project, Copenhagen, 22–23 June 2026), chaired by Grith Skovgaard Ølykke (Partner, Poul Schmith/Kammeradvokaten). It is a first for the aperitif series: Bestek co-host Professor Willem Janssen (Utrecht Univ
#45 Can You Actually Enforce an Arbitration Win Against a Government?
In this Bestek aperitif episode, Dr Marta Andhov continues a discussion from the PurpLE Project Conference panel “Arbitration in Public Contracts” (Copenhagen, June 2026) by focusing on whether arbitral awards in public contract disputes can actually be enforced against contracting authorities. She distinguishes between winning an arbitration and getting paid, and features panel insights from Cesa
#44 Should Public Contracts Even Be Allowed to Go to Arbitration?
In this solo “aperitif” episode of Bestek, Marta Andhov shares highlights from the closing panel on arbitration in public contracts at the PurpLE Conference on Public Procurement and Contracts in Copenhagen, chaired by Peter Trepte (University of Nottingham), supported by the Dreyers Foundation and funded by the Carlsberg Foundation.
The episode focuses on the threshold question of whether public
#43 AI, Sustainable Public Procurement & Law Clinics
In this episode, Marta and Willem explore how artificial intelligence could support more sustainable public procurement practices— and the risks that come with it. The conversation builds on Marta’s co-authored recent open-access article, “Leveraging AI for Sustainable Public Procurement: Opportunities and Challenges.”
They begin by outlining the motivation and context for the research, before ex
#42 The Irado Case and the Activities Criterion & Fostering a Classroom Community
In this episode, Marta and Willem discuss the hot topic of the ongoing Irado case and the impacts it is set to have on the world of European Public Procurement Law. How to calculate the activities criterion in article 12 Directive 2014/24/EU? They begin the episode with a short chat about their recent conferences, before moving to a brief introduction to the case and the related unclarities in the
#41 Sustainability Clauses in Public Contracting & Advice for First-Year PhD Students
In this episode, Marta and Willem invite a long-time listener and supporter of the Bestek podcast and a postdoctoral fellow at PurpLE, Ezgi Uysal, to discuss her research on the topic of sustainability contractual clauses (SCCs) in public procurement contracts. The podcast begins with Ezgi briefly explaining what the SCCs are and what makes them unique, before quickly diving into a discussion abou
#40 Reform of Public Procurement Directives & New Ways of Examining
In this episode, Associate Professor Marta Andhov and Professor Willem Janssen discuss a particularly exciting topic - the upcoming reform of the EU’s Public Procurement Directives. They begin by describing the reform’s timeline and discussing how it is being affected by the current geopolitical setting. In their discussion, they assess the focal points of the reform, as described by reports of En
#39 Circularity and Procurement & Procurement Awards
In this episode, Associate Professor Marta Andhov and Professor Willem Janssen discuss circularity, and how it relates to public procurement. The hosts begin by introducing the concept of circularity, its promises as well as some points of skepticism. They also explain the concept of the R scale - a useful tool in determining the circularity of an economy. They then move on to the legal aspects an
#38 When Contracts Collide Public Procurement and Contract Law Context & Pop Culture
In this episode, Associate Professor Marta Andhov and Professor Willem Janssen discuss the intersection of public procurement and contract law. The topic of the research project PurpLE (Purchase Power – Sustainable Public Procurement Through Private Law Enforcement) led by Marta. This episode provides an introduction to an upcoming series of episodes that will dive deeper into its individual aspec
#37 Societal Challenges and Interdisciplinary Work in Public Procurement & Teaching the Interdisciplinary Aspects to Students
In this episode, Marta and Willem discuss interdisciplinary work in public procurement and law in general. They reflect on their many personal experiences of working across disciplines and examine the recent push for interdisciplinary work in academia. They evaluate the positives, the negatives, and the relevance of both simple mono-disciplinary work in public procurement law, and inter-disciplina
#36 New Exclusion Grounds in EU Public Procurement and Reading Recommendations
In this episode, Marta and Willem explore the latest developments in EU Public Procurement, focusing on the new exclusion grounds introduced by sectoral legislation following the European Green Deal. They begin by outlining the framework of mandatory and voluntary exclusion grounds established under European Directive 2014/24/EU before delving into specific examples of new sectoral legislation tha
#35 Resurgence of buy local policies & making public procurement law interesting
In this episode, Marta and Willem explore the resurgence and presence of buy local policies in the public procurement context. They discuss it broadly on a global scale, and then zoom in on specific buy local implementation issues when it comes to the procurement of food by public authorities. What to do with criteria and condition related to zero miles, EU geographical indicators, time of deliver
#34 Visual contracting in public procurement & Best/worst presentations
In this episode, Willem and Marta discuss visual contracting in the context of public procurement. Can it improve the contracting process? If so, how? They explore the potential of visual contracts and the possibilities to apply it in the public sector based on Marta's forthcoming publication in PPLR. For dessert, they look at their best and worst presentations to share their learnings from them.
#33 Single Bidding in the EU & What Vita would change in public procurement
In this episode, Vitezslav Titl and Willem Janssen discuss single bidding in the EU, based on a current debate about the lack of interest in public procurement from the side of the market. Sparked by the report by the Court of Auditors, and due to developments in many of the Member States, they discuss Vita’s research on this topic and how the legal changes implemented in Czechia could inspire oth
#32 Sustainable Public Procurement in the US & Publishing in the American Journals
In this episode, Marta and Willem delve into the complex and critical world of US public procurement and sustainability with Steven Schooner from George Washington University Law School. They ask intriguing questions such as: What does the landscape of public procurement look like across different development tiers in the US, and how does sustainability fit into this picture? Why are executive ord
#31 Development Aid and Procurement & Becoming a Leader
In this episode, Annamaria La Chimia (Nottingham University) and Marta discuss the fascinating world of development aid and procurement. What does this world look like? Where do interesting procurement questions pop up? Why should all of us know more about this international side of public procurement? Tune in now to learn more. In the dessert section, they discuss leadership in academia. What doe
#30 Public Procurement, Climate Change & Expanding Expertise with Knowledge from other Disciplines
In this episode, Marta and Willem start by discussing the role of public procurement law in addressing climate change, emphasizing its supportive capacity in mitigation efforts and how it interacts with various legal disciplines, including environmental, competition, and constitutional law. For the main, they dig into the nuances of sustainable procurement, emphasizing the distinction between poli
#29 Mandatory Sustainability Requirements in EU Public Procurement Law & Academic Summers
In this episode, Marta invites Willem to discuss his new book (co-edited with Roberto Caranta) on mandatory sustainability Requirements in EU Public Procurement Law. (out in October at Hart) Why is this topic in which the EU seems to move from regulating 'how to buy' towards 'what to buy' in need of discussion? What academic questions are relevant to ask for all those involved in sustainable publi
#28 Free Trade Agreements & Life as an Academic Nomad
In this episode, Marta Andhov talks with Dominic Dagbanja - a senior law lecturer and researcher (University of Western Australia) specialising in international investment law and in the consequences of investment and trade treaties for public interest regulation. They start by pointing out to practical relevance of knowing about the intersection of public procurement and free trade agreements. Fu
#27 Proportionality the Dutch Way & Managing Edited Volumes
In this Bestek podcast episode, Marta and Willem discuss proportionality (the Dutch way) and edited volumes. First, they start by explaining why the proportionality principle is essential in the EU and public procurement law context. Further, they dig into the Dutch proportionality guide. They focus on discussing its purpose, legal standing and content. For the dessert, the hosts talk about the ch
#26 The Foreign Subsidies Regulation’s Impact on Procurement & Events after the Pandemic
`In this episode, Willem and Marta discuss the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and it's impact on public procurement. How will this new regulation affect public procurement procedures? What are initial discussion points? And how could they be resolved? For desert, they discuss events after the pandemic. What are relevant choices in organising events in this new era?
#25 CJEU Judgments in Sanresa (C-295/20) and Klaipėdos (C-927/19) & Privilege in Academia
In this podcast episode, Marta and Willem discuss CJEU Judgments in Sanresa (C-295/20) and Klaipėdos (C-927/19). In doing so, they pay special attention to Article 58 of Directive 2014/24/EU, the Court's differentiation between technical specification, selection criteria and contract performance conditions, and the differentiation between economic standing and the ability to pursue professional ac
#24 Socially Responsible Public Procurement – Reserved Contracts & Independence in the Work of Academics
In this episode of Bestek, the public procurement podcast, Willem and Marta discuss reserved procedures and the ASADE (C‑436/20) and Conacee (C-598/19) Judgements in the context of socially responsible public procurement. They focus on two explicitly legislated reserve procedures - those for sheltered workshops and social enterprises - and discuss how these procedures fit into the broader context
#23 Clean Vehicles Directive’s Interplay with Public Procurement & Publication Languages
In this episode, Marta and Willem dig into the Clean Vehicles Directive and its implications for public procurement. In doing so, they put it into the context of the EU Green Deal. They also briefly touch on the specificities of the CV Directive and its revision. Most importantly, they emphasize first sectoral mandatory sustainable criteria imposed on public procurers and economic operators. Addit
#22 Award Criteria Under the Magnifying Glass & Rasmus’ Advice for PhDs
In this episode, Marta, Willem, and their guest, dr. Rasmus Horskjær Nielsen discuss award criteria and evaluation methods in public procurements. In doing so, Rasmus explains the difference between relevant and controllable competition concepts. In addition, they debate whether there is such a thing as objective criteria For the dessert, you can hear what Rasmus would do differently if he did his
#21 Modifying Construction Contracts from Contract and Procurement Law Perspective & Ole’s advice for Change
In this episode, Marta and Willem, along with their guest Prof. Ole Hansen discuss the modification of construction contracts. They explore why in practice, there is often a need for modification in construction contracts and how it is addressed with reference to principles of loyalty and reciprocity. They point out that the rules concerning modification of public contracts do not always represent
#20 Contract Management Tools & Transitioning to Associate Professor
In this episode, Willem & Marta welcome guest Dr. Alexandra Andov and discuss the topic of digital technologies and contract management. They explore the distinctions between contract formation and contract execution, as well as the use of digital technologies in the management phase, such as negotiation, electronic signatures, computational contracts, and transparency. For dessert, they open up a
#19 Calling off a Framework Agreement under a Framework Agreement & Criticism in Academia
In this episode, Willem & Marta discuss both the differences and analogies between framework agreements and public contracts. They delve into the national case law and highlight practical issues arising from this differentiation. For the dessert, they tackle the question of how to deal with the criticism in Academia and give advice on how to give constructive feedback.
#18 Servitisation & public procurement: what role for the law? & Manels
In this episode, Willem and Marta discuss the role of public procurement law in the development towards more servitization. They also touch upon the problems that arise due to servitization trends and how to solve them. For dessert, they discuss all male panels in academia ('manels').
#17 Sustainable Public Procurement of Food & How to Track Research Progress?
In this episode, Marta and Willem discuss sustainable food procurement. They focus on current problems with food systems and the importance of food. Furthermore, they dig into the legal difficulties public procurers face when they attempt to buy sustainably. Some of the pain points they discuss are certification, localism, freshness requirements, seasonality, and promotion of small farmers and SME
#16 Competitive obligations outside the Classic Directive: the sale of land in the Dutch case of Didam
In this episode, Marta and Willem explore competitive obligations outside the Classic Directive. They focus on a recent Dutch Supreme Court case of Didam in which the equality and transparency principles were deemed to apply to the sale of land by a Dutch municiplatie. This has led to a plethora of legal questions in the Dutch context. Their call to action: is the sale of law distributed competiti
#15 Access to public contracts for citizens’ initiatives and social enterprises & how to conference
In this episode, Willem & Marta discuss access to public contracts for citizens' initiatives and social enterprises. They delve into the hurdles they face, the legal possibilities for contracting authorities to stimulate them, and future options to extend those options. For the finale, they discuss how to conference.
#14 Objectives of Public Procurement Law & Social Media for Academics
In this episode, Marta and Willem discuss the role of objectives in public procurement law. Is the objective of ‘public procurement’ and the objective of ‘public procurement law’ the same? How does the EU objective relate to national objectives? And: why should we care about them for the sake of interpretation? For dessert, they talk about social media and academic life.
#13 Equal Pay Standard & PhD Courses
In episode 13 of the podcast, Marta and Willem discuss the Icelandic Equal Pay mandatory standard. Particularly, the possibilities and limitations of its applicability in public procurement. For the dessert, our hosts share with our audience upcoming PhD courses in public procurement.
#12 Centralised Purchasing Bodies & How to Stay up to Date
In this episode, Marta and Willem discuss the rules related to centralised purchasing bodies, their role in public procurement, the national differences that exist in the EU, and their procurement techniques. For dessert, they delve into the question of how to stay up to date in public procurement.
#11 The Role of Courts & Mandatory Sustainability Requirements – Rewards & Recognition in Academia
procurement. What will change in the assessment of courts when faced with claims of bidders that argue that a tender is not sustainable enough? For dessert, they discuss rewards & recognition in academia.
#10 Contract Performance Conditions & Rituals for Productivity
In episode #10, we discuss article 70 Directive 2014/24/EU. Particularly we focus our discussions on the relationship between contract performance conditions and award criteria and technical specifications. This leads us to reflect on the enforceability and value of contract performance conditions. For dessert, we discuss what some of our rituals that positively influence our productivity are.
#9 Transfer of Competences & Books we Wished we Wrote
In today’s episode, we discuss the transfer of competences and responsibilities in light of article 1(6) Directive 2014/24/EU and the relevant case-law including Remondis and Porin Kaupunki. The key question here is how it differs from the award of a public contract, and how this plays out for the national organization of public tasks. For dessert, we discuss two books we wish we wrote.
#8 Art 18(2) and the Tim Case: A Sustainability Principle? & Procrastination Strategies
In episode #8, we discuss article 18(2) Directive 2014/24/EU. Its nature, character, and scope as well as shortcomings. We focus our discussions on analyzing whether the sustainability referred to in Article 18(2) can pass the test to be truly understood as a procurement principle. This leads us to reflect on the CJEU ruling in Case C-395/18 Tim SpA where the court refers to 18(2) cardinal values
#7 Current Legal Discussions About Institutionalized Cooperation & Online Conferences
In today’s episode, we discuss institutionalized cooperation under article 12(1-3) Directive 2014/24/EU. We focus our discussions on the outstanding and most pressing discussions that currently create legal uncertainty in the Member States. This leads us to talking about private capital, control, and other aspects of cooperation between contracting authorities. For dessert, we consider online conf
#6 Third Country Bidders’ Access to the EU Market & Academic Research Stays
In today’s episode, we discuss a highly politically charged topic of 3rd country access to the EU market. For this purpose, we consider the current EU legal framework as well as proposed since 2012 International Procurement instrument. Also, we comment on the new European Commission’s white paper on foreign subsidies and especially it’s module 3 with propositions for public procurement. For desser
#5 Non-institutionalised Cooperation after Stadt Köln & Cooperation in Academia
In today’s episode, we discuss the tricky concept of non-institutionalised cooperation and its relationship with EU public procurement law. For this purpose, we consider the recent ruling of the CJEU in the case of Stadt Köln. In this case, the CJEU made significant headway in clarifying some aspects of article 12(4) Directive 2014/24/EU for the first time. For dessert, we stick to the theme of co
#4 Framework Agreements Following Coopservice & Doing a PhD in Public Procurement
In this episode of Bestek, we discuss framework agreements. Some would say a "hot topic" of late, particularly following a CJEU judgment in case C-216/17, Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato - Antitrust and Coopservice. We consider what changes to the interpretation of the law this judgment brought; the new challenges posed by this judgment; as well as some of the practicalities in op
#3 The EU Green Deal in Light of Public Procurement Law & Academic Life After COVID-19
In this episode of Bestek, we discuss a very close topic to both of our research projects: sustainable public procurement. We look at this subject through the lens of the newly introduced European Green Deal and what changes it introduces. For dessert, we are ‘dishing’ about academic life after COVID 19. Will we still travel to conferences? If not, why might we miss it?
#2 Regular Procurement in COVID-19 Times & Academic Mentors
We continue the discussion about COVID-19 related issues. We consider how the issue of 'urgency' is interpreted, and at which point it cannot be relied upon anymore. Also, how are 'regular' procurements (meaning not healthcare-related) affected by the circumstances of COVID-19? We discuss how regular procurements that are still to be launched, procurements that are currently in the mids of the pro
#1 COVID-19 Responses to Public Procurement in the EU & Academic Life in These Times
We critically discuss the Commission guidance on COVID-19 and public procurement and what we think are some of the challenges that contracting authorities face these days. Also, we discuss the approaches taken by some of the Member States to address the COVID 19. For the happy, fun dessert time, we chat about academic life and especially teaching online in these times.
#Trailer: No, we did not open a restaurant
In this Trailer, we explain why we did not open a restaurant, but in fact started a podcast on public procurement law, our love of food, and our milestones and struggles in academic life.
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