Recital 128

(128)Effective administrative cooperation is necessary for the exchange of information needed for conducting award procedures in cross-border situations, in particular with regard to the verification of the grounds for exclusion and the selection criteria, the application of quality and environmental standards and of lists of approved economic operators. The exchange of information is subject to national laws on confidentiality. Hence, this Directive does not entail any obligation for Member States to exchange information that goes beyond what national contracting authorities can access. The Internal Market Information System (IMI) established by Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council ²⁰ could provide a useful electronic means to facilitate and enhance administrative cooperation managing the exchange of information on the basis of simple and unified procedures overcoming language barriers. A pilot project should consequently be launched as soon as possible to test the suitability of an expansion of IMI to cover the exchange of information under this Directive.