Contract Execution Director (DEC) under the Italian Public Contracts Code
I act as Contract Execution Director (DEC, Direttore dell’Esecuzione del Contratto) under the Italian Public Contracts Code for contracting authorities that buy ICT services and supplies: platforms, portals, software, digital services, digitisation of archives and cultural heritage. I check that the contract is carried out as set out in the specifications and the offer, on time, and I document it with minutes and reports, working with the RUP.
Ing. Vito Domenico Amodio
Engineer and Innovation Manager, I work with you directly
- UNI 11814 Innovation Manager · Apave no. 38-M
- Licensed engineer, Lecce no. 4603
- Listed by MISE as innovation manager in 2019
- Working with SMEs since 2014
I do this as a licensed engineer (Italy), registered with the Order of Engineers of the Province of Lecce, no. 4603, Section A, information sector. Since 2025 I have been DEC for Polisemia on a PNRR project (Mission 1, Component 3, Investment 1.1.5) for the digitisation of cultural heritage. I work in Lecce and Apulia, on site in Southern Italy, and across Italy for contracts that can be checked remotely.
In short: what is a Contract Execution Director
The DEC is the person who, on behalf of an Italian contracting authority, coordinates, directs and checks the execution of a contract for services or supplies. As a rule the RUP, the authority’s officer responsible for the procurement, holds this role; for contracts of particular importance, including many ICT contracts, it must be someone else. If the authority lacks the expertise in house, it can appoint an external professional.
Who it is for: when you need an external DEC
Contracting authorities with a contract of particular importance
Services or supplies above 500,000 euros, or technologically complex contracts, where the DEC must be someone other than the RUP.
Local authorities, special agencies and Chambers of Commerce
That buy a portal, a platform or a digital service and have no in-house IT specialist to oversee it.
RUPs who want technical support
To follow progress, quality and documents of an ICT contract.
PNRR implementing bodies
That must keep contract execution, audit evidence and reporting aligned.
Contracts in trouble
Delays, partial deliveries, claims by the contractor, changes to assess.
Contract closure
Certificate of completion, conformity check or certificate of proper execution to prepare.
The DEC works for the contracting authority. I do not take this role for the company carrying out the contract, nor on contracts carried out by suppliers I work with. If your project still has to be set up, from requirements to governance, start from public sector and PNRR projects.
What I do
Start of performance
Once the contract is effective, I start performance under the RUP’s instructions, give the contractor instructions and, where needed, draw up the start-up minutes.
Technical and financial control
I check that performance meets deadlines, delivery terms and contract documents, using measurable quality criteria and minutes.
Quality of the service or supply
I assess performance against the standards in the specifications and the improvements offered in the tender.
Regular reports
I track the main activities and make sure the contractor provides the reporting required.
Alerts to the RUP
I report delays, malfunctions or breaches promptly, with proposals to solve them.
Subcontracting
I check that subcontracted work is carried out as authorised and report irregularities.
Accounts and payments
I certify the work performed and notify the RUP, who arranges payment; I record any claims and reservations by the contractor.
Changes and new prices
If work not covered by the contract is needed, I assess new prices with the contractor, for the RUP’s approval.
Completion and final check
I verify completion jointly with the contractor, issue the certificate of completion and attend the conformity check; below the EU thresholds I issue the certificate of proper execution, confirmed by the RUP.
These are the tasks that Annex II.14 of the Code (Articles 31-38) assigns to the DEC, applied to ICT contracts: for software or a platform, checking execution also means testing functions, performance, accessibility and security.
How I work
Listening
I meet the RUP and the offices and clarify the subject of the contract, deadlines, known issues, funding and reporting duties.
Diagnosis
I read the contract, specifications, technical offer, schedule and indicators, and flag at once the clauses that are hard to check and any missing documents.
Plan and resources
I prepare the control plan: calendar of checks, acceptance criteria for deliveries, templates for minutes and reports, communication flows with the RUP and the contractor.
Delivery and results
I start performance, follow progress, check deliveries, handle issues and claims, and certify work for payment. At closure I certify completion and prepare the documents for the conformity check or the certificate of proper execution.
These are the four steps of the method I follow in every project.
Why work with me
- Licensed engineer (Italy), registered with the Order of Engineers of the Province of Lecce, no. 4603, Section A, information sector: technical expertise in the subject of the contract is what an ICT contract needs.
- DEC since 2025 for Polisemia on a PNRR project (M1C3, Investment 1.1.5) digitising cultural heritage: I follow progress, compliance with the specifications, indicators and minutes.
- ICT Manager of “Bari Welcome” since 2025 for Bari Sviluppo, special agency of the Bari Chamber of Commerce: I know requirements, suppliers and checks of a public digital project from the inside.
- Certified Innovation Manager (UNI 11814): project management method, indicators and measurement of results.
- Independence: I do not direct the execution of contracts awarded to suppliers I work with, including Moviweb S.r.l., where I am CIO. If there is a possible conflict, I declare it in advance, as Article 16 of the Code requires.
What you get
Control plan
with calendar, acceptance criteria and templates for minutes.
Start-up minutes
where required.
Inspection minutes
and regular reports on the contract.
Issue log
with alerts to the RUP and corrective actions.
Certification of work performed
for payments, with up-to-date accounts.
Certificate of completion
and, below the thresholds, certificate of proper execution, or the file for the conformity check.
Shall we talk for half an hour?
Tell me where you are so I understand what you need. If I can help, I send you a written quote.
Legal framework
| Reference | What it says |
|---|---|
| Legislative Decree 36/2023, Article 114, paragraphs 6-9 | For services and supplies the RUP normally acts as DEC; for contracts of particular importance the DEC is a different person; without in-house expertise, other public bodies or, failing that, an external appointment |
| Legislative Decree 36/2023, Annex II.14, Article 31 | DEC tasks: start of performance, technical and financial control, quality, reports, alerts to the RUP, accounts, certificate of completion |
| Legislative Decree 36/2023, Annex II.14, Article 32 | Contracts of particular importance: above 500,000 euros and, regardless of value, complex or innovative contracts; IT services may be included. Amended by Legislative Decree 209/2024 |
| Legislative Decree 36/2023, Annex II.14, Articles 36-38 | Conformity check, conformity certificate and certificate of proper execution issued by the DEC below the thresholds |
| Legislative Decree 36/2023, Article 116 | Conformity check by the RUP or the DEC, dedicated verifiers for high-tech contracts, incompatibilities |
| Legislative Decree 36/2023, Article 16 | Conflict of interest also during execution: disclosure and abstention |
Texts checked on Normattiva on 9 October 2026. If you need an independent acceptance test of a supply I have not directed, see ICT acceptance testing and technical advisory. My background is on the about page.
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your question? Write to me and I will answer.
What does a Contract Execution Director (DEC) do?
Under Italy’s Public Contracts Code (Legislative Decree 36/2023, Annex II.14, Article 31), the DEC coordinates, directs and checks, technically and financially, the execution of a contract for services or supplies, so that it is carried out on time and as set out in the contract, specifications and offer. The DEC starts performance, checks quality and deliveries, writes reports and minutes, alerts the RUP to delays and breaches, certifies work for payment and certifies completion.
What are the RUP and the DEC?
The RUP (Responsabile Unico del Progetto) is the public body’s officer responsible for a procurement from planning to completion. The DEC (Direttore dell’Esecuzione del Contratto) directs and checks the execution of a contract for services or supplies. As a rule the RUP also acts as DEC; for contracts of particular importance the two roles must be held by different people.
When must the DEC be someone other than the RUP?
For contracts of particular importance: services and supplies above 500,000 euros and, regardless of value, contracts that are technologically complex, require several areas of expertise or use innovative components or processes. Annex II.14 (Article 32) lists IT and related services among the services that may be considered of particular importance. The current wording reflects the 2024 amendments (Legislative Decree 209/2024).
Can an Italian contracting authority appoint an external DEC?
Yes, when it lacks the necessary expertise or staff. The Code (Article 114, paragraphs 6 and 9) asks it to look first among its own employees and then among those of other public bodies; failing that, the role is awarded to a professional through the Code’s procedures. The appointment and its reasons are a decision of the contracting authority.
Do you act as DEC for the contractor?
No. The DEC works for the contracting authority and checks the contractor, so I cannot sit on the other side of the same contract. I do not take DEC roles on contracts carried out by suppliers I work with, including Moviweb S.r.l., where I am CIO. Contractors, including international ones, can find other services on my public sector page, on different contracts.
What changes in PNRR-funded contracts?
The Code is the same. The contracting authority, as implementing body of the PNRR, Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, must record progress, the contribution to the measure’s milestones and targets and compliance with the ‘do no significant harm’ principle in the ReGiS system, and keep evidence for audits. The DEC does not replace whoever reports: the DEC makes sure minutes, reports and checks contain the information needed.
Do you work in English?
Yes. Contract documents, minutes and certificates for an Italian contracting authority are normally in Italian, but I can discuss the contract, explain findings and write summaries in English for international partners, consortium members or funders.
Book an introductory call
Do you have an ICT services or supply contract to start, follow or close in Italy? Send me the contract and specifications. In a call I understand the situation and tell you how I can help as DEC, then I send you a written proposal.
Tell me about your company and what you want to achieve. The call is for me to understand your request: if I can help, I prepare a written quote. or fill in the formBook a 30-minute introductory call
Related services
- Technical appraisals for Italian hyper-depreciationSworn appraisal of Industry 4.0 assets and their interconnection, for sites in Italy.
- ICT acceptance testing and technical advisoryAcceptance testing of software, networks and platforms, expert reports and party-appointed expert work.
- Italian and EU fundingChoosing the scheme, application, technical report and final reporting.