Incorrect procedure for entering an order for the premises of the former sugar factory in Břeclav

Unfortunately, Břeclav has joined the ranks of cities and municipalities that underestimate the processing of project documentation for their significant constructions. The city has announced a tender for a study regarding the former sugar factory without realizing that no architects or civil engineers can participate. Designers would violate fundamental rules set by the professional codes of the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) and the Czech Chamber of Authorized Engineers and Technicians Active in Construction (ČKAIT) by participating in the competition.
The attractive area of the former sugar factory has been in a dilapidated state for several years, and it is understandable that the city is considering how to handle it. The goal of the tender announced by the city hall is to obtain a study that would divide the area into a part designated for leisure activities and a part that would retain its industrial character with a proposal for technical infrastructure. The solution for the area must also include a proposal for landscaping.
Properly announced contracts should, according to law and the rules of professional chambers, meet certain prerequisites. Among them are primarily the previously known composition of the jury that will evaluate the submitted studies or projects, as well as the criteria for evaluation. In addition, it is expected that a sufficiently long timeframe will be set for the preparation of the proposal. Competition rules also describe the system of awarding prizes and rewards for the best proposals.
In the case of the tender for the study of the sugar factory area in Břeclav, the jurors are not specified, nor is it clear whether architects or other independent jury members will be involved. It is also unclear by what criteria the winning proposal will be selected. Participants in the competition were given only 11 days to prepare a relatively demanding task – from September 8, 2011, to September 19, 2011.
The Czech Chamber of Architects is legally obligated to oversee the awarding of public contracts for constructions. It has repeatedly advised the city hall leadership to announce a new procedure that would not restrict architects' participation in the competition and be in accordance with generally accepted regulations both domestically and abroad. Unfortunately, after unsuccessful negotiations, the ČKA was forced to declare the tender for the study of the sugar factory in Břeclav an irregular architectural competition and urged its members not to participate.
Authorized architects are turning to the ČKA and repeatedly pointing out that the area of the former sugar factory is an important part of the city center that deserves input from professionals in its development and appearance. The ČKA routinely recommends that all clients proceed according to the ČKA Competition Rules and organize architectural competitions whose preparation can be consulted with the ČKA.