Performance-Based Specifications: Exploring when they work and why

This report investigates the application of performance-based specifications (PBSs) in public procurement within the European Union and the United States, focusing on their role in supporting sustainable development goals and environmental benefits.

• Performance-based specifications (PBSs) allow public procurers to define a target or performance level for goods, services, and infrastructure, which helps integrate social and environmental considerations into tenders and promotes innovation in the private sector.
• The use of PBSs can create a burden for public authorities because they shift the workload from the initial bid-writing and specification phase to the long-term management, evaluation, and verification of performance delivery after a tender is awarded.

APA

Turley,, M. H. S. B. D. (2014). Performance-Based Specifications: Exploring when they work and why. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/performance-based-specifications-exploring-when-they-work-and-why

Chicago

Turley,, Mariana Hug Silva,Scarlett Benson,Carlos Dominguez,Laura. Performance-Based Specifications: Exploring when they work and why. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2014. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/performance-based-specifications-exploring-when-they-work-and-why.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Turley, |first1=Mariana Hug Silva,Scarlett Benson,Carlos Dominguez,Laura |title=Performance-Based Specifications: Exploring when they work and why |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=22 September 2014 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/performance-based-specifications-exploring-when-they-work-and-why |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{turley2014performancebased, author = {Turley,, Mariana Hug Silva,Scarlett Benson,Carlos Dominguez,Laura}, title = {{Performance-Based Specifications: Exploring when they work and why}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2014}, month = sep, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/performance-based-specifications-exploring-when-they-work-and-why}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }