STATEMENT BY THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT COMMISSION IN REPONSE TO THE STABROEK NEWS ARTICLE OF SUNDAY 29^TH OCTOBER, 2023 TITLED “PROCUREMENT COMMISSION SILENT ON REQUEST FROM OPPOSITION FOR URGENT MEETING”

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) (‘the commission’) has taken note of an article in the Stabroek News edition of October 29^th, 2023, with the caption “Procurement Commission silent on request from opposition for urgent meeting”. The article cited “APNU+AFC Member of Parliament David Patterson who stated that the procurement commission has not responded to the opposition’s request for an urgent meeting to discuss the controversial award of a pump station contract to a company that did not qualify and other matters”.

The PPC categorically rejects these baseless assertions since the request of Mr. Patterson, purporting to act, inter alia, on behalf of the Parliamentary Opposition (whether de facto, de jure or otherwise not disclosed) was received on Friday October 27^th, 2023 and was duly considered at the commission’s meeting on the said day. To this end, an official response to the request for a meeting will be dispatched shortly, the weekend having intervened.

Therefore, the impression given by the headline that there has been some inaction by the commission to the request is sensationalist and scandalous as it is not grounded in fact.

Further, with regard to the reported request by Mr. Patterson for an investigation into the contract award of the Belle Vue Pump Station (“Tepui contract”), the commission wishes to confirm that:

• It received the said request by way of email on Wednesday, October 4^th, 2023.
• The request was considered by the commission at its next meeting on Friday, October 6^th, 2023.
• In accordance with the commission’s established procedures in pursuance to Article 212DD(1) of the constitution, a request in writing was sent, on the said day (6^th), to both the procuring entity and the tender board, to wit, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), respectively, for the submission to the commission, within five (5) business days thereof, of certain relevant information and documents including the full record of the subject tender proceedings. Similarly, Mr. Patterson was also invited in writing to submit any documents or further information to support his allegations on which his request for an investigation was made.
• To date the request has not been acknowledged or complied with by the procuring entity (NDIA) and or the tender board (NPTAB). Mr. Patterson has also not communicated with the commission as to the submission of any documents or further information to support his allegations.
• Patterson sought an update on his request by way of letter sent by email on October 23^rd, 2023. The said letter was considered at a meeting of the commission on the said day and a reply was sent in accordance therewith on October 27^th, 2023.

The hereinbefore investigation request is one (1) of five (5) active complaints before the commission, all of which the respective procuring entities and or NPTAB have not submitted to the commission, requested information, particularly, the record of the tender proceedings (including the Evaluation Reports) at all or the full record.

While Article 212DD(1) of the constitution empowers the commission to request information in certain circumstances, the subsequent sub-section (Article 212DD(2)) has not been given effect to by the Legislature to provide for penalties or other coercive powers for the failure to comply with such a request by the commission.

Accordingly, the commission has sought advice from its Legal Department as to the jurisdiction of the commission in the circumstances to ensure that the matters brought before it for investigation are duly discharged. The commission awaits receipt of the said advice and at this time, has not ruled out approaching the High Court for Orders compelling the production of the information.

Pursuant to Article 212W(2) of the Constitution of Guyana, the PPC is an “independent and impartial” body which shall discharge its functions fairly in accordance with law.

The commission once again urges restraint and responsibility in public statements of findings as a fact without the benefit of all of the facts and documentary evidence.

Dated October 30^th, 2023.

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PRESS RELEASE ON THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT COMMISSION WORKSHOP FOR PERMANENT SECRETARIES, DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND REGIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

 

Yesterday, October 26, 2023, the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) held a Workshop on public procurement for Permanent Secretaries (PS), Deputy Permanent Secretaries (DPS) and Regional Executive Officers (REO) at the Cara Lodge Hotel, Georgetown. 

 

During her Opening Remarks, Chairperson of the PPC, Ms. Pauline Chase noted that the engagement was part of the commission’s ongoing exercise pursuant to Article 212AA(1)(b) to promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, contractors and public bodies; and under Section 17(2)(c) of the Procurement Act, Cap. 73:05 to organize training seminars regarding procurements. 

 

The Chairperson further stated that as part of the execution of the commission’s monitoring function, certain areas were identified for which the commission thought it would be useful to meet directly with Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers, being the accounting officers of their respective public procuring entities. 

 

The session focused on the following areas- 

• Role of the PPC – 
  • The Legislative Framework
  •  Mandate and Functions of the PPC
    • Training & Public Awareness 
    • Monitoring 
    • Investigations 
    • Legislative Reform
  • Administrative Review Process
  • Debarment Procedures  

• Section 39 of the Procurement Act, Cap. 73:05 (Examination & Evaluation of Tenders and Role of the Procuring Entity in approval of the Evaluation Report) 
• Section 11 of the Procurement Act, Cap. 73:05 (Publication of Contract Awards) 
• Section 12 of the Procurement Act, Cap. 73:05 (Inducements from Suppliers and Contractors)  
• Article 212DD of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and S. 53(3) of the Procurement Act, Cap. 73:05 (Requirement to provide information) 
• Standardized Evaluation Report  

Fifty-nine (59) Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries and other Procurement Officers from the Ministries of Finance; Labour; Public Service; Housing & Water; Amerindian Affairs; Health; Agriculture; Human Services & Social Security; Public Works; Culture, Youth & Sport; Local Government & Regional Development; Natural Resources; Legal Affairs; Tourism, Industry & Commerce, Home Affairs; Education and Foreign Affairs together with the Offices of the President and Prime Minister; and Regional Executive Officers (REOs) or their representatives from all of the Regions save and except Regions 9 and 10 were in attendance. Additionally, fifty-nine (59) persons from the said public procuring entities participated virtually via Zoom. 

The Workshop was successful in imparting requisite information which generated fruitful discussions on strengthening compliance in the aforesaid areas and improving the procurement systems in the respective public procuring entities. 

Entities are invited to contact the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) on contact numbers (592) 226-3729, (592) 231-7306, and (592) 226-2364 for more information or to make a request for training. The Public Procurement Commission looks forward to continuing its collaboration with interested entities as it works toward fulfilling its functions. 

 

Dated 27th October, 2023 

 

 

— THE END — 

PRESS RELEASE

Public Procurement Commission to conduct Procurement Training

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) once again collaborated with the Ministry of Public Service (MOPS) to train public servants from various ministries and government entities on public procurement procedures. The training is being held over a period of three (3) days which commences today, October 10, 2023, at the Ministry of Public Service’s training facility located on the corner of Vlissengen Road and Durban Street, Georgetown.

 

This training is being held as part of the Commission’s ongoing public awareness campaign to apprise stakeholders of the rules and procedures of the public procurement system so that they may better navigate, comply and benefit therefrom.

 

The PPC is mandated by Article 212AA (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Cap. 1:01 to “promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, contractors and public bodies.” And, pursuant to S. 17(2)(c) of the Procurement Act, Cap. 75:03, the PPC is responsible for organising training seminars regarding procurements.

 

A total of 40 participants from various procuring entities is expected to attend this training which will cover topics such as:

 

• the Public Procurement Commission – who we are and what we do,
• the legislative framework,
• ethics in public procurement
• the public procurement process,
• strategic planning,
• preparing procurement plans,
• tender openings,
• thresholds,
• evaluation, and
• complaints and debarment processes.

 

The training will empower participants with information to improve the procurement system within their organizations. Entities seeking more information may contact the PPC on telephone numbers (592) 226-3729, (592) 231-7306, and (592) 226-2364 or via email at operations@ppc.org.gy.

 

Dated October 10, 2023

— THE END —

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) on August 29, 2023, extended their outreach and conducted a Public Procurement Training at the RDC Board Room in Mahdia, Region #8 (Potaro- Siparuni).

Twenty-one participants from nine Procuring Entities in the Region interacted with the Chief Executive Officer and staff of the PPC on various topics including:

• the Public Procurement Commission – who we are and what we do,
• the Public Procurement process,
• how to lodge a complaint,
• the debarment process,
• completing a procurement plan, and
• tender openings and evaluation.

The event was held as part of the commission’s ongoing public awareness campaign to apprise stakeholders of the rules and procedures of the public procurement system so that they may better navigate, comply and benefit therefrom.

The PPC is mandated by Article 212AA (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Cap. 1:01 to “promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, contractors and public bodies.” And, pursuant to S. 17(2)(c) of the Procurement Act, Cap. 75:03, the PPC is responsible for organising training seminars regarding procurements.

The objective was to enrich participants with information to improve the public procurement system within their organizations. Entities seeking more information may contact the PPC on telephone numbers (592) 226-3729, (592) 231-7306, and (592) 226-2364 or via email at operations@ppc.org.gy.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) on August 22, 2023, hosted a Public Open Day from 9am – 2:00pm at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, Region #7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

One hundred and two persons from ten procuring entities, suppliers and contractors from across the Region and the general public seized the opportunity to educate themselves and be guided on various aspects of the public procurement system.

Following the Public Open Day, the PPC on the following day, August 23, 2023 conducted a Public Procurement Training at the Town Council Board Room where 35 participants from 11 Procuring Entities in the Region interacted with the Chief Executive Officer and staff of the PPC on various topics including:

• the Public Procurement Commission – who we are and what we do,
• the Public Procurement process,
• completing a procurement plan,
• tender openings and evaluation.
• how to lodge a complaint, and
• the debarment process,

The events were held as part of the commission’s ongoing public awareness campaign to apprise stakeholders of the rules and procedures of the public procurement system so that they may better navigate, comply and benefit therefrom.

The PPC is mandated by Article 212AA (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Cap. 1:01 to “promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, contractors and public bodies.” And, pursuant to S. 17(2)(c) of the Procurement Act, Cap. 75:03, the PPC is responsible for organising training seminars regarding procurements.

The objective was to enrich participants with information to improve the public procurement system within their organizations. Entities seeking more information may contact the PPC on telephone numbers (592) 226-3729, (592) 231-7306, and (592) 226-2364 or via email at operations@ppc.org.gy.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) on August 8, 2023, hosted a Public Open Day from 9am – 2:00pm at the Tabatinga Sports Ground, Lethem, Region #9 (Upper Takatu – Upper Essequibo).

Two hundred and fifty-two (252) persons from 19 procuring entities, suppliers, contractors and consultants from across the Region and the general public seized the opportunity to educate themselves and be guided on various aspects of the public procurement system.

Following the Public Open Day, the PPC on the following day, August 9, 2023 conducted a Public Procurement Training at the Region’s RDC Training Centre where 45 participants from 11 Procuring Entities in the Region interacted with the Chief Executive Officer and staff of the PPC on various topics including:

• the Public Procurement Commission – who we are and what we do,
• the public procurement process,
• how to lodge a complaint,
• the debarment process,
• completing a procurement plan,
• tender openings and evaluation.

The events were held as part of the commission’s ongoing public awareness campaign to apprise stakeholders of the rules and procedures of the public procurement system so that they may better navigate, comply and benefit therefrom.

The PPC is mandated by Article 212AA (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Cap. 1:01 to “promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, contractors and public bodies.” And, pursuant to S. 17(2)(c) of the Procurement Act, Cap. 75:03, the PPC is responsible for organising training seminars regarding procurements.

The objective was to enrich participants with information to improve the public procurement system within their organizations. Entities seeking more information may contact the PPC on telephone numbers (592) 226-3729, (592) 231-7306, and (592) 226-2364 or via email at operations@ppc.org.gy.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) once again collaborated with the Ministry of Public Service (MOPS) to train public servants from various ministries and government entities on public procurement procedures. The training was held over a period of two (2) days which commenced on July 27, 2023 and concluded July 28, 2023. The training was conducted at the Ministry of Public Service’s training facility located on the corner of Vlissengen Road and D’Urban Street, Georgetown.

Opening remarks were made by Manager, Training and Development of MOPS, Ms. Valencia Wren and Head of Operations of the PPC, Mr. Mervyn Chung.

This event was held as part of the Commission’s ongoing public awareness campaign to apprise stakeholders of the rules and procedures of the public procurement system so that they may better navigate, comply and benefit therefrom.

The PPC is mandated by Article 212AA (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Cap. 1:01 to “promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, contractors and public bodies.” And, pursuant to S. 17(2)(c) of the Procurement Act, Cap. 75:03, the PPC is responsible for organising training seminars regarding procurements.

Presentations were delivered by officials from the PPC’s Operations Departments.

A total of 23 participants from 17 Procuring Entities, benefited from this training which covered topics such as:

• the Public Procurement Commission – who we are and what we do,
• the legislative framework
• the public procurement process,
• strategic planning,
• preparing procurement plans
• tender openings
• thresholds
• evaluation and,
• complaints and debarment processes.

The training empowered participants with information to improve the procurement system within their organizations. Entities seeking more information may contact the PPC on telephone numbers (592) 226-3729, (592) 231-7306, and (592) 226-2364 or via email at operations@ppc.org.gy.