{"id":10960,"date":"2019-10-31T10:41:23","date_gmt":"2019-10-31T15:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev?p=10960"},"modified":"2019-10-31T10:41:23","modified_gmt":"2019-10-31T15:41:23","slug":"procurement-bill-can-remove-veil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/procurement-bill-can-remove-veil\/","title":{"rendered":"Procurement Bill Can \u2018Remove Veil\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

A top engineer yesterday hailed the draft Public Procurement Bill as a tool that can \u201cremove the veil\u201d and \u201copaque processes\u201d surrounding the award of multiple government contracts.<\/p>\n

Quentin Knowles, the Bahamas Society of Engineers (BSE) president, told Tribune Business that the long-awaited legislation that has been released for a 30-day public consultation seems to promise the creation of an equitable \u2018level playing field\u2019 for all bidders on public sector contracts.<\/p>\n

Revealing that he knew of companies and entrepreneurs who simply chose not to bid on government tenders because of perceptions they were always awarded to \u201cfavoured\u201d rivals, Mr Knowles voiced optimism that the legislation will \u201cgo a long way\u201d to boosting competition by expanding the bidding pool.<\/p>\n

Describing himself as a small businessman of 30 years standing, the BSE chief said there were \u201ctoo many forces\u201d ranged against micro, small and medium-sized (MSMEs) in The Bahamas, and expressed hope that the Bill may \u201ccounteract\u201d some of these.<\/p>\n

Focusing on the construction industry and related professions specifically, Mr Knowles said he also wanted the Bill to encourage the Government to outsource more services and work to the private sector, pointing to the building inspection process and other aspects that have the potential to be \u201cfarmed out\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom my perspective, public procurement is basically giving equal access to the public to bid on any projects and products the Government may have,\u201d Mr Knowles told this newspaper. \u201cThat\u2019s my understanding of what this is all about, and it\u2019s critical for me as a contractor and engineer.<\/p>\n

\u201cProcurement is what I do in contracting. That\u2019s what contracting is all about; to secure the best price, product and resources. To give people who are suitably qualified equal access to all available procurement possibilities is going to be critical.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the way it\u2019s done presently, it\u2019s a veil and such an opaque process,\u201d he continued. \u201cIt\u2019s not to say things are not being done in a correct way, but this Bill will probably remove that veil, if you will, and I think it will be a benefit not only to the Government but people out there who did not have access to opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Complaints and allegations have long swirled over the process for awarding government contracts, with rejected bidders frequently challenging this and the selection of rivals. The Government, though, believes the Public Procurement Bill will both help save taxpayers millions and aid small businesses.<\/p>\n

Besides producing better \u201cvalue for money\u201d through improved transparency and accountability surrounding the award of government contracts, the Bill also stipulates that all government agencies must award a minimum 10 percent of their contracts to Bahamian MSMEs.<\/p>\n

Acknowledging that \u201chaving to embrace change is sometimes difficult in a government environment\u201d, Mr Knowles said it was \u201chuman nature\u201d for persons to deal with companies that they knew and trusted, which sometimes meant rival bids were not properly considered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of people that I know of, because of the perception they don\u2019t have a chance to even go after some of these projects, they decide not even to bid even if it\u2019s advertised in the newspaper because they feel there are people who would be favoured,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will go a long way to encouraging people who have not traditionally gone after government work to go after it\u2026 I haven\u2019t looked at it [the Bill] in detail, but it seems like a really good thing if it\u2019s properly implemented. That\u2019s another question: Proper implementation will be the key. We have a lot of great laws and regulations on the books, but we sometimes struggle to implement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2026 more<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Image: Raphael Brasileiro (<\/em>Pexels)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A top engineer yesterday hailed the draft Public Procurement Bill as a tool that can \u201cremove the veil\u201d and \u201copaque processes\u201d surrounding the award of multiple government contracts. Quentin Knowles,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":10966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[112],"tags":[73,125],"class_list":["post-10960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-newsdevelopments","tag-legislation","tag-public-procurement"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/curtain-dark-fingers-Raphael-Brasileiro-Pexels.jpg?fit=1024%2C896&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6u9Qa-2QM","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22950,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/govts-flat-out-concealing-millions-in-contract-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":10960,"position":0},"title":"Gov\u2019ts \u2018flat-out concealing\u2019 millions in contract awards","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"July 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas The Opposition\u2019s leader yesterday hit back at the Davis administration for \u201cflat-out concealing\u201d millions of dollars in contracts it has concluded\u00a0since taking office by failing to comply with the Public Procurement Act. Michael Pintard, the Marco City MP and former Cabinet minister, accused the Prime Minister of applying \u201cdifferent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4968573-scaled-e1655473594837.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4968573-scaled-e1655473594837.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4968573-scaled-e1655473594837.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4968573-scaled-e1655473594837.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11304,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/govt-unveils-fundamental-reset-for-public-contracts\/","url_meta":{"origin":10960,"position":1},"title":"Govt Unveils ‘Fundamental Reset’ For Public Contracts","author":"Michele Marius","date":"December 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The government last night unveiled draft legislation representing a \"fundamental reset\" of its public procurement processes in a bid to save taxpayers millions and aid small businesses. Marlon Johnson, the Ministry of Finance's acting financial secretary, told Tribune Business the long-awaited Public Procurement Bill 2019 was designed to produce better\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News\/Developments"","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/know-the-rules-chalk-board-geralt-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/know-the-rules-chalk-board-geralt-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/know-the-rules-chalk-board-geralt-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/know-the-rules-chalk-board-geralt-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13205,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/landmark-public-procurement-bill-soon-up-for-debate\/","url_meta":{"origin":10960,"position":2},"title":"Landmark Public Procurement Bill soon up for debate","author":"Michele Marius","date":"July 2, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"NASSAU, BAHAMAS \u2014 The Government tabled landmark legislation last week that will substantially change how contracts are awarded throughout the entire public service. 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Mr Aubry is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Business-Office-Contract-Agreement-Deal-rawpixel-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Business-Office-Contract-Agreement-Deal-rawpixel-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Business-Office-Contract-Agreement-Deal-rawpixel-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Business-Office-Contract-Agreement-Deal-rawpixel-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":21547,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/fatal-flaw-in-procurement-law\/","url_meta":{"origin":10960,"position":4},"title":"Fatal flaw in procurement law","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"April 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Trinidad and Tobago \u00a0 SOME weeks ago, I penned an article voicing my scepticism regarding the call by one of the most powerful local companies for the Government to sell national assets to private corporations. The concern was grounded principally on the disastrous socio-economic impact of the recommendation on reducing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Law-scrabble-tiles-CQF-Avocat-Pexels-e1649276824460.jpeg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Law-scrabble-tiles-CQF-Avocat-Pexels-e1649276824460.jpeg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Law-scrabble-tiles-CQF-Avocat-Pexels-e1649276824460.jpeg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Law-scrabble-tiles-CQF-Avocat-Pexels-e1649276824460.jpeg?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24803,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/live-up-to-public-procurement-law\/","url_meta":{"origin":10960,"position":5},"title":"\u2018Live up to\u2019 Public Procurement law","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"October 27, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas The Bahamas must \u201clive up to the letter and intent of the law\u201d on public procurement, a governance reformer urged yesterday, as he hailed the unveiling of the Government\u2019s new and upgraded tender portal. Matt Aubry, the Organisation for Responsible Governance\u2019s (ORG) executive director, told Tribune Business it was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pexels-rodnae-productions-7841812-scaled-e1648207457324.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pexels-rodnae-productions-7841812-scaled-e1648207457324.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pexels-rodnae-productions-7841812-scaled-e1648207457324.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pexels-rodnae-productions-7841812-scaled-e1648207457324.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10960"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10975,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10960\/revisions\/10975"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10966"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}