Application of criteria and standards of quality and economic and technical norms of public services in Vietnam as of March 1, 2024

Application of criteria and standards of quality and economic and technical norms of public services in Vietnam as of March 1, 2024 (Internet image) 

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows

1. Principles of establishing economic and technical norms for public services in Vietnam

According to Article 4 of the Regulations issued with Circular 16/2023/TT-BVHTTDL, the principles of establishing economic and technical norms are as follows:

- The economic and technical norms in these Regulations are the maximum levels that ensure the accuracy and sufficiency of labor costs, machinery and equipment costs, and material costs (direct costs) to complete the provision of public services according to the criteria and quality standards.

- They meet the general requirements for the structure of various economic and technical norms, ensuring average, advanced, stable, unified, and inheritable characteristics of previous economic and technical norms.

- Every 5 years, the responsible agency will review and evaluate the criteria, quality standards, and norms to make timely adjustments suitable for practical needs (if necessary).

2. Application of criteria and standards of quality and economic and technical norms of public services in Vietnam 

Based on Article 5 of the Regulations issued with Circular 16/2023/TT-BVHTTDL, the application of criteria, quality standards, and economic and technical norms is as follows:

- The criteria, quality standards, and economic and technical norms in these Regulations serve as the basis for:

+ Libraries to determine the components of direct costs, develop expenditure content and levels for implementing the provision of public services using the state budget, and submit for approval and budget allocation annually by competent authorities.

+ Libraries and state library management agencies to assess the capacity to provide public services, serving as a basis for budget allocation for public service activities.

+ Relevant agencies and organizations to determine unit prices and service fees for public services using the state budget in accordance with Decree 32/2019/ND-CP.

- Labor positions in the composition of labor costs in the norms are determined according to the following principles:

+ Labor positions in the composition of labor costs in the norms are determined according to the regulations in Circular 02/2022/TT-BVHTTDL.

+ If certain labor positions are not included in Circular 02/2022/TT-BVHTTDL, then the provisions of Decree 204/2004/ND-CP, Decree 117/2016/ND-CP, Decree 111/2022/ND-CP, or equivalent conversions based on approved job positions will be applied.

+ If the actual rank or level of a labor position is different from the regulations mentioned above, the responsible library will consider and decide on the applicable rank or level of the current labor position and calculate the cost based on the actual labor cost, ensuring that the labor cost does not exceed the total labor cost norm for the corresponding service.

In this case, if the service provided meets the standards, quality requirements, and evaluation levels specified in Article 8 (4) of the Regulations issued with Circular 16/2023/TT-BVHTTDL, libraries will be paid according to the maximum cost norm in these Regulations.

- For other costs related to the provision of public services, such as copyright purchase, document translation, transactional phone calls, working fees, use of facilities, information technology infrastructure, library management software, specialized software and machinery, equipment, office supplies, management costs, shared professional activities, and service support costs, libraries and organizations will apply relevant norms issued by competent state agencies or establish separate budgets for tasks that exceed this norm for submission and approval according to regulations.

For actual expenses, rental services, and other transactions, the provisions of the state budget law will be followed. If the service payment falls within the thresholds requiring bidding, the provisions of the bidding law will be followed.

- When preparing price plans and budgets for the provision of public services using the state budget, libraries and organizations will apply the economic and technical norms specified in these Regulations to determine the direct costs in the unit prices and service fees set by the state and the budget estimate.

- If there are changes in technology or other factors that make the norms no longer suitable for practical requirements, libraries and organizations applying the norms are responsible for reporting to the direct management agency for review and adjustment or new development to ensure suitability.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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