Jamaica
The Integrity Commission’s Director of Investigations has recommended that disciplinary proceedings be taken against former Executive Director of National Education Trust (NET), Marcia Phillips Dawkins, for allegedly acting contrary to the entity’s procurement procedures and the Public Procurement Act and its regulations.
Kevon Stephenson noted that while Mrs. Phillips Dawkins is no longer employed to NET, she remains in the employ of the Ministry of Education.
The findings of the IC’s investigation report concerning allegations of impropriety and procurement irregularities at the NET were tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The allegations are that the former Executive Director of National Education Trust sent a request for quotation to a supplier bearing the procurement manager’s signature without her knowledge or consent.
At the conclusion of his investigation, which started on April 14, 2022, the Director of Investigations determined that the use of the procurement manager’s signature was inappropriate, unethical and misleading.
Mr. Stephenson also concluded that it is irregular in this jurisdiction for the head of the entity to personally prepare and issue procurement solicitation documents when there is competent staff hired for those purposes.
Additionally, he said the inherent risks in the head of entity initiating and personally conducting a procurement exercise and ultimately giving final approval cannot be disregarded.
Mr. Stephenson said he considered the explanation by Mrs. Phillips Dawkins as to the urgency placed on the undertaking in question.
In refuting the allegations by way of a letter sent to the Integrity Commission, dated June 11, 2025, the former NET Executive Director denied that she conducted a fraudulent transaction, adding that the request for proposal was done transparently, as all documents were copied to the NET procurement and project managers and the acting permanent secretary in the Education Ministry.
Mrs. Phillips Dawkins noted that the moment an error in the document was identified, she instructed that it be withdrawn and the process be taken over by the procurement manager and her team.
In relation to the allegations of breach of procurement, Mrs. Phillips Dawkins said she decided to assist in the procurement process for the project as final approval would have come from the acting permanent secretary.
She commented that it was surprising and unfortunate that only one side of the issue was considered and represented by the Integrity Commission in its investigation and that the NET Board did not give her an opportunity to defend herself against the allegations before she was sent on precautionary leave with full pay in November 2021.
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Guyana
Guyana’s project to land natural gas onshore has reached a new milestone with the launch of procurement to support the natural gas liquids (NGLs) component.
The government has issued three calls, one of which is an invitation to prequalify for the construction of an NGLs storage and offloading facility and pipeline.
The facility will be within the Wales industrial zone, some 25km inland from the mouth of the Demerara river and adjacent to the 300MW power plant under construction as part of the gas-to-energy project’s first phase.
The phase includes an NGLs fractionation plant and provides limited storage. The plant’s initial production rate is expected to be 4,200b/d, which could increase to 5,900b/d in the second phase.
A second process is a request for proposals (RFP) to provide engineering services for the storage and offloading facility and pipeline to prepare a detailed RFP to be issued to a prequalified firm to build the facility and pipeline.
The third call is an RFP to help supervise the development of the facility and pipeline.
Responses to the three calls are due by July 29, according to procurement information available in the Documents box in the top right corner of the screen.
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Jamaica
MINISTER of Finance Fayval Williams has lauded the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) for what she described as its “five years of outstanding service to Jamaica”.
Addressing congregants at a church service to mark the start of the PPC’s fifth anniversary celebration, Williams praised the commission for its high quality service delivery and professionalism which, she said, have “pushed the boundaries and raised the bar on what efficient and transparent public procurement can look like”.
The PPC, which overseas and regulates the public procurement process in Jamaica, launched its fifth anniversary celebrations during a service at Celebration Church in Portmore, St Catherine.
In her address, Williams argued that, “the PPC is testament to what is possible when purpose and professionalism align”.
Noting the PPC’s efficiencies, especially its one-week processing time of supplier registration as well as procurement reviews; Williams credited the PPC for, “setting a new pace in performance and productivity”.
She said this efficient processing time by the PPC is particularly remarkable, in the context where Jamaica’s procurement legislation allows for 60 days (eight weeks) for the processing of an application for PPC registration/renewal of registration.
The PPC’s year-long, fifth anniversary celebrations are being held under the theme, ‘Celebrating Excellence! Strengthening Partnerships’.
Speaking at the church service, Nadia Morris, PPC executive director, pointed out that over the past five years the entity has pursued operational excellence.
Among the PPC accomplishments she cited were the attaining and retaining of ISO 9001:2015 Certification; introduction of the online portal for the Supplier Registration System (SRS) which gives Jamaicans 24/7 access to applications for PPC registration; a significant increase in PPC supplier registration; and the doubling of the Validity Period for PPC Certificates.
“In the last financial year, we recorded a 10 per cent increase in supplier registrations, signalling a growing awareness and confidence among Jamaicans in public procurement as a viable economic opportunity,” Morris highlighted.
“On April 1, 2025, we doubled the validity period of PPC certificates from 18 months to three years — making it easier for businesses to remain compliant and eligible for public contracts. As a direct result, supplier registrations increased by 250 per cent in April 2025, compared to April 2024,” she said.
The PPC executive director argued that it is helping to fuel national development through the review of public procurement recommendations for award submissions.
In 2024, the PPC implemented the Procurement Endorsement Database Management System (PEDMS) — an innovative software that enables real-time tracking of procurement submissions from government entities.
According to Morris, the results have been impressive.
“In the financial year 2023-2024, the PPC reviewed 594 contracts valued at $78.68 billion, and with PEDMS that review process caused a leap in the procurement review process to 694 submissions, valued at $154.63 billion, during financial year 2024–2025,” said Morris.
She attributed the “first-rate” achievement of the PPC to the unshakable dedication of its staff.
“Each milestone we have achieved was made possible because of your hard work and unwavering belief in our mission. Thank you for growing with the commission, and serving with distinction,” said Morris.
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Caribbean
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission joined Grenada, Saint Lucia and Guyana, the World Bank and the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) for the kickoff meeting to formally launch the Caribbean Efficient and Green Energy Buildings Project — termed the CEGEB project — a transformative regional initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy solutions and energy-efficient practices across public buildings in the participating countries.
The five-year project funded by the World Bank to the tune of US$131.8 million (approximately EC$356.2 million) represents a combination of grants and loans that will allow governments to demonstrate leadership in sustainable energy and the associated benefits. Under the project, close to 500 buildings will be retrofitted with energy efficiency measures and an estimated 50,670 kWp (kilowatt-peak) of solar photovoltaics is anticipated to be installed.
The CEGEB project also builds on the OECS Commission’s strong track record in pooled procurement, which for over 30 years has enabled Member States to access critical pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies more efficiently and cost-effectively through a collaborative approach. By extending this model to the sustainable energy sector, the OECS Commission aims to leverage an aggregated demand to provide economies of scale, resulting in more affordable sustainable energy solutions for the region. This approach is also expected to stimulate the development of a regional market for energy-efficient technologies, create local green jobs, and strengthen the capacity of public and private stakeholders to manage and maintain green energy solutions.
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Barbados
The Government of Barbados has officially launched a major procurement process for the country’s first large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), aimed at transforming the national electricity grid and unlocking delayed renewable energy investments. The launch event, hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Business, marked the beginning of a new phase in Barbados’ push toward energy independence.
“This is where interest becomes action and ideas become investment,” declared Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, during her keynote address. “The launch of this project is about grid unlock – not just for investors, but for real Barbadians whose hard-earned savings are tied up in solar projects they couldn’t connect until now.”
The BESS procurement process follows a robust planning phase, including an initial Request for Information (RFI), and culminates in the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) on July 9, 2025. Up to 60 megawatts of battery storage will be tendered in what officials described as a competitive, transparent, and technically rigorous process. Projects will be backed by long-term, bankable contracts and supported by a liquidity guarantee facility administered by the Central Bank of Barbados.
Director of Fund Management at the Central Bank, Darrin Downes, underscored the bank’s commitment:
“This initiative reflects our dedication to innovative, climate-smart financial mechanisms. The liquidity support mechanism will provide financial security, reduce investor risk, and ensure long-term viability of the storage projects.”
Global Benchmark for Island States
Barbados’ effort is already being hailed as a model for the region. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Manager for Barbados, Carina Cockburn, emphasized the regional significance:
“By embracing this approach, Barbados continues to set a powerful example for the Caribbean. Energy storage is not just complex – it’s essential. Without it, progress plateaus. With it, we unlock stability and boost renewable integration.”
The IDB has played a key technical and financial advisory role throughout the process. According to Cockburn, the Bank will continue its involvement through both public and private sector financing arms, signaling long-term support.
Consumer Protection & Sectoral Resilience
Fair Trading Commission (FTC) CEO Brian Reece reiterated the regulator’s full support, noting:
“Battery energy storage is a critical piece of the renewable future. It brings price stability, fosters innovation, and shields Barbadians from the volatility of imported fossil fuels. The FTC remains committed to a competitive and transparent procurement framework that ensures consumer protection.”
He cited the current global energy landscape – including rising oil prices due to geopolitical tensions – as a compelling reason to accelerate local renewable deployment.
Technical Details and Access
Ramiro Gomez Barinaga of RELP, the project’s transaction advisor, described the tender as a “turning point” not just for Barbados, but potentially the entire Caribbean:
“This is the first competitive battery storage procurement in Barbados and likely the first in the region. The design is simple, bankable, and structured to attract strong local and international bids.”
Key features include:
- Up to 60 MW / 240 MWh of four-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery storage;
- Fixed monthly capacity payments (no separate payment for ancillary services);
- Mandatory local content plans (capped at 2% of annual revenue);
- Energy Storage License, Storage Agreement, and Interconnection Agreement embedded in the RFP;
- Application window opens July 9, 2025 via Barbados’ Bonfire procurement portal.
A Regional First, A National Mission
Minister Cummins emphasised the human and economic dimension of the initiative:
“Barbadians have already invested hundreds of millions in solar, only to be told ‘there’s no room on the grid.’ This is for them. This is about reducing our billion-dollar fuel import bill and using that money for healthcare, education, and social development.”
She also announced parallel work on wind energy procurement and updated regulations under the Electricity Supply Act, reinforcing the government’s commitment to the energy transition agenda.
Looking Ahead
The BESS procurement marks a critical step toward achieving Barbados’ renewable energy goals with targets originally laid out in the 2019 National Energy Policy. With the current grid unable to absorb more intermittent solar energy, battery storage is the key to unlocking a backlog of projects and enabling 24/7 renewable power.
The RFP documents, including all technical and legal requirements, will be available for download starting July 9, 2025. A bidder conference and public briefings are expected to follow.
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