The Diplomat
The Senate has awarded for 5,390,000 euros the contract for the management and technical assistance of travel and visits of its members for this year and next, an agreement that can be extended annually three times, until 31 December 2027. Each year, including extensions, will cost 2,695,000 euros.
The Bureau of the Upper House has chosen Viajes El Corte Inglés for this service from among the three companies that submitted bids, as published on Tuesday in the Official State Gazette (BOE). The selected agency, which already won the previous contract, awarded in December 2018, won in July 2022 the same service for the Congress of Deputies and for 23.3 million.
In the justification report, to which Europa Press has had access, the Senate specifies that the budget is “exclusively indicative”, as it depends on the final expenditure made by the House in terms of its management and technical assistance needs in travel.
Similarly, the Senate points out that the economic offer cannot be revised during the initial term of the contract or, if there are any, in the eventual extensions. If the contract is extended until 2027, the amount could reach 16,170,000 euros, including VAT.
In 2022, the cost of travel for senators charged to the budget of the Upper House amounted to 2,069,327.02 euros during the first nine months of the year, which is 574,000 euros, almost 40% more than in 2021 at that point, when there were still restrictions due to the pandemic and even capacity limitations.
The contract in question consists of managing the booking, issuing, modification, cancellation if necessary, and delivery of tickets, accommodation and car rental, which are necessary for travel and stays made by senators and staff of the Chamber for reasons of service. It also includes any type of service typical of a travel agency, such as arranging for visas when required for travel.
As a general rule, journeys shall be made, “if possible”, on flights, lines or routes that are scheduled, direct (non-stop), and with an electronic ticket.
