On 6 November 2025, the BIM & Public Procurement Community of Practice (CoP) hosted an insightful webinar to present the key findings from the online survey launched in July 2025, and to share a European best practice on integrating BIM (Building Information Modelling) requirements into public procurement processes.

The event gathered over 100 participants from across EU Member States and beyond, including policy makers, technical experts, and public sector representatives — all engaged in advancing the digital transformation of the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Survey Highlights: Understanding the State of BIM in EU Public Procurement

The session opened with Aida Joaquín Acosta, Chief of Cabinet to the Vice Minister at Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility and Leader of the BIM & Public Procurement CoP, who presented the main outcomes of the online survey.

The survey aimed to map the current landscape of BIM integration in public procurement across Europe by collecting insights from public buyers, policymakers, and stakeholders. It sought to identify existing policies, strategies, and barriers to adoption, as well as practical needs for support and collaboration. In total, 78 respondents from 16 European countries and 4 non-European countries participated, representing equally the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Key Enablers for BIM Implementation in Public Procurement

When presenting the survey findings, Aida Joaquín Acosta highlighted three essential factors driving the successful integration of BIM in public procurement.

The first is the need for strong regulatory and strategic frameworks. Establishing national BIM strategies and mandates, supported by clear legal and procedural guidance, is crucial to ensure consistency and clarity in public tenders. Standardised templates and guidelines aligned with openBIM and ISO 19650 can further help authorities and suppliers work within a shared framework, while dedicated national BIM offices or task groups can provide the coordination needed to turn strategy into practice.

Equally important is building capacity and developing knowledge. The survey shows that training remains one of the most pressing needs — both for public authorities and for SMEs. Integrating BIM into education and professional certification, alongside targeted funding and pilot projects, can showcase its real value in improving efficiency, sustainability, and quality. Collaboration across the public sector, academia, and industry emerges as another key ingredient for success.

Finally, long-term progress depends on the right supporting mechanisms. Respondents pointed to the importance of dedicated funding for BIM and digitalisation, open data standards to ensure interoperability, and clear, transparent data requirements in tenders.

A particularly significant finding from the survey is the broad consensus—around three-quarters of respondents—supporting the inclusion of explicit BIM provisions in EU Directives. Many see this as a decisive step toward harmonised standards, greater transparency, and an accelerated digital transformation in public construction.

This strong convergence of views delivers a clear message: stakeholders across Europe overwhelmingly support revising EU procurement legislation to recognise BIM as a strategic enabler of efficiency, sustainability, and data-driven asset management.

To achieve this, EU directives should establish a harmonised framework for BIM, grounded in international standards, open data principles, and clearly defined roles and responsibilities—while ensuring sufficient flexibility and practical support for public authorities across Member States.

Together, these insights point to a shared ambition: to make BIM not just a technical tool, but a cornerstone of a smarter, greener, and more transparent public procurement ecosystem in Europe.

A European Example: CPK’s BIM Journey

The second keynote speaker, Michał Latała, Director of the Digital Transformation Department at Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), shared valuable insights into how one of Europe’s largest transport infrastructure programmes is advancing BIM adoption in public procurement.

He explained that CPK’s approach is anchored in international standards and underpinned by robust internal governance, led by the Digital Transformation Department. A central element of this strategy is the use of a Common Data Environment (CDE)—primarily based on ProjectWise—during the design phase.

This CDE model shapes contractual clauses governing supplier relationships and ensures consistency throughout the BIM process. As Michał emphasised, training remains a cornerstone of successful implementation: CPK provides open, accessible online training to equip all ecosystem actors with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Looking Ahead: Building a Collaborative Future

For those who could not attend, the webinar recording is now available online. The presentation slides showcasing the survey results and CPK’s experience can also be downloaded below. These materials provide a comprehensive overview of current practices and forward-looking strategies that are shaping the future of BIM in public procurement across Europe.

Stay tuned — the full report analysing the survey results will be published in the coming days.

Join the discussion and continue to support the Community of Practice by participating in ongoing exchanges, reacting to posts, and sharing resources. Together, we can accelerate the shift toward a more digital, transparent, and sustainable public procurement ecosystem.