Procurement ACDat: what it means and when it is generated, before or after the tender?

Meaning of procurement ACDat

ACDat is the acronym for Data Sharing Environment, also known as the Common Data Environment (CDE). It is a digital platform used for the management, sharing and storage of all data and documents related to a public or private procurement. ACDat is a key tool in BIM (Building Information Modeling) processes and its adoption is regulated by Italian legislation (D.Lgs. 36/2023, former D.M. 560/2017).

Main functions of ACDat

ACDat ensures a range of operational and management benefits for all parties involved in a procurement. Among its main functions we find:

• Data centralization: all documents and information are collected in a single digital environment.
• Traceability: every modification or access to data is recorded, ensuring transparency and security.
• Collaboration: enables contracting authorities, designers, contractors and other stakeholders to work in a coordinated way.
• Versioning: management of different document versions, avoiding errors and duplication.
• Digital preservation: secure archiving compliant with current regulations.

When is ACDat generated: before or after the tender?

One of the most frequent questions concerns the exact moment when ACDat is set up within a procurement procedure. The answer is clear and based on current regulatory provisions.

• ACDat is prepared by the contracting authority before the publication of the tender. Its technical and operational features are described in the Information Requirements, the document accompanying the tender notice.
• ACDat becomes operational after the publication of the tender, when participating companies can access the platform to consult documents, submit bids and collaborate in subsequent phases.

To remember: the preparation of ACDat is a fundamental requirement for all tenders involving the use of BIM, as established by the new Public Contracts Code.

Benefits of ACDat for procurement management

The adoption of ACDat brings concrete benefits for the management of public and private procurements:

• Greater transparency in tender procedures and data management.
• Error reduction through version control and change traceability.
• Operational efficiency for all involved parties, with immediate access to updated information.
• Regulatory compliance ensured by the structure and functionalities of ACDat.

Key points to remember

• ACDat means Data Sharing Environment, a digital platform for document management in procurements.
• It is prepared before the tender and described in the Information Requirements.
• It is activated and used after the publication of the tender, during the procedure and subsequent phases.
• Mandatory for public procurements involving the use of BIM.