Guyana's public procurement system is governed by the Public Procurement Act of 2003 and its associated regulations. The law was designed to establish fair and transparent procedures for public procurement and to ensure that the government receives the best value for money when purchasing goods and services.
Under the law, procurement is divided into two categories: competitive bidding and non-competitive procurement.
Competitive Bidding: Competitive bidding is the preferred method for public procurement in Guyana. It involves a public call for bids, which is open to all qualified bidders. The process is transparent, and bidders are required to submit their proposals in accordance with the terms and conditions of the bid documents.
The evaluation of the bids is based on pre-established criteria, and the contract is awarded to the bidder that meets the requirements and offers the best value for money.
Non-Competitive Procurement: Non-competitive procurement is used in situations where competitive bidding is not practical, such as in emergency situations, when only one supplier is available, or when the procurement is for a specialized product or service. The law requires that non-competitive procurement be approved by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board and that the reasons for the use of this method be documented.
In addition to the above methods, Guyana's procurement law also establishes procedures for procurement planning, advertising, pre-qualification, bid opening, bid evaluation, contract award, and contract management.
The law also provides for the establishment of a National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, which is responsible for overseeing the procurement process and ensuring that it is carried out in accordance with the law.
