{"id":7873,"date":"2019-01-10T10:30:29","date_gmt":"2019-01-10T15:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev?p=7873"},"modified":"2019-01-09T12:29:08","modified_gmt":"2019-01-09T17:29:08","slug":"the-20-state-contract-allocation-will-small-businesses-get-their-hoped-for-new-year-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/the-20-state-contract-allocation-will-small-businesses-get-their-hoped-for-new-year-present\/","title":{"rendered":"The 20% state contract allocation: Will small businesses get their hoped for New Year present?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>One of the more important disclosures to come out of the post-budget presentations in the National Assembly last week was the one made by Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin regarding what we hope is a definitive confirmation that the 20 per cent allocation of state contracts to small businesses will take effect in January 2019. The insertion of the caveat has to do with what we are told are the various \u2018loose ends\u2019 that have to be tied up, not least the one that has to do with the harmonization of the provisions spelt out in the Small Business Act of 2004 with national procurement legislation. In other words an important prerequisite to going ahead with the full implementation of what is in the Small Business Act is that it must also be enshrined in the Procurement Act, the legal framework that guides the behaviour of procurement entities.<\/p>\n<p>Arrival of the 20% allocation to small businesses legislation to the point where it is today took very long and if ever there was a case of the grass growing whilst the horse was starving, this, surely, was one of those open and shut cases. The biggest impact which the full implementation of this provision in the Act is concerned with will be to afford more modest businesses, previously not considered worthy of state contracts to access those. That, of course, will have a significant knock on effect insofar as employment levels are concerned, the truth being that once the provision is implemented honestly and transparently, over time, thousands of additional jobs could be created for Guyanese.<\/p>\n<p>As the Minister pointed out in his presentation in the National Assembly it may well be possible to clearly identify a clutch of contract areas of a particular size that would amount to the 20% allocation envisaged in the Act. Then there is, of course, the question of capacity, the point here being that some of the contract areas that might be accessible may simply be outside the capability of many of the smaller businesses.<\/p>\n<p>One possible way around this is to create conditions that allow bona fide small businesses unhindered access to what one might call the \u2018low-hanging fruit,\u2019 that is to say those areas in which those small businesses may have proven competence.<\/p>\n<p>But it is its integrity as a system upon which the 20% provision has been known to stand or fall. We know from numerous previous reports of the Auditor General that tender procedures at state agencies are not necessarily always above board and that there have been cases, many of them, in which room has been created for glaring instances of the crudest nepotism. The reality as far as the 20% allocation provision is concerned is that it could, in theory, fall victim to a complete \u2018takeover\u2019 by functionaries possessed of the authority to do so.\u00a0 What we must guard against is the carving up of the entire process into a regime that becomes sufficiently burdened down with nepotism and backhanders such as to cause it to degenerate into a national scandal.<\/p>\n<p>\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stabroeknews.com\/2018\/business\/business-editorials\/12\/14\/the-20-state-contract-allocation-will-small-businesses-get-their-hoped-for-new-year-present\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">more<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Image:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the more important disclosures to come out of the post-budget presentations in the National Assembly last week was the one made by Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin regarding&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":7879,"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":[116,146,125],"class_list":["post-7873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-newsdevelopments","tag-guyana","tag-procedures","tag-public-procurement"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Lemonade-Stand-business-ErikaWittlieb-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1024%2C688&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6u9Qa-22Z","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7754,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/govt-quota-for-small-contractors-a-no-go-without-change-to-law\/","url_meta":{"origin":7873,"position":0},"title":"Gov\u2019t quota for small contractors a no-go without change to law","author":"Michele Marius","date":"December 26, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"While government is moving to ensure 20% of all contracts go to small contractors from January 1st, 2019, Public Procurement Commission (PPC) Chairperson Carol Corbin says that it will need to change the procurement law to do so. \u201cIt is in the Small Business Act but not in the Procurement\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News\/Developments&quot;","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\/12\/Small-business-scrabble-tiles-calculator-dollar-money-Investment-Zen-flickr-.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Small-business-scrabble-tiles-calculator-dollar-money-Investment-Zen-flickr-.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Small-business-scrabble-tiles-calculator-dollar-money-Investment-Zen-flickr-.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Small-business-scrabble-tiles-calculator-dollar-money-Investment-Zen-flickr-.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":18117,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/keep-em-coming-businesses-urged-to-register-for-eprocurement-platform-more-than-2220-signed-on-to-date\/","url_meta":{"origin":7873,"position":1},"title":"KEEP \u2018EM COMING: Businesses urged to register for eProcurement platform; more than 2,220 signed on to date","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"August 26, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas\u00a0 NASSAU, BAHAMAS \u2014 Over 2,200 businesses are registered on the government\u2019s e-Procurement system to date, according to Ministry of Finance officials, who noted that each government agency will have to produce an annual procurement plan. The Ministry of Finance\u2019s eProcurement and Supplier Registry System (ePSR) enables businesses interested in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News\/Developments&quot;","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\/2021\/08\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3769135-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3769135-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3769135-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3769135-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3769135-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25268,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/almost-80-of-govt-contracts-awarded-to-small-medium-sized-businesses-nptab-ceo\/","url_meta":{"origin":7873,"position":2},"title":"Almost 80% of gov\u2019t contracts awarded to small, medium-sized businesses \u2013 NPTAB CEO","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 24, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Guyana As he appealed for small contractors countrywide to tap into the opportunities afforded to them under the laws of Guyana, National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) Chief Executive Officer Arvind Parag says that nearly 80% of government contracts to date have gone to small and medium-sized businesses. However,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Contracts\"","block_context":{"text":"Contracts","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/tag\/contracts\/"},"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":25039,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/best-in-class-government-launches-new-eprocurement-system\/","url_meta":{"origin":7873,"position":3},"title":"BEST IN CLASS: Government launches new eProcurement system","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas \u00a0The government\u2019s nearly $800 million allocation in the 2022\/2023 fiscal period for recurrent and capital expenditure represents \u201cvast\u201d procurement opportunities, according to Prime Minister Philip Davis, noting that a new Public Procurement Bill will soon be made public for consultation. Speaking at the launch of the government\u2019s new eProcurement\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","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\/11\/pexels-thisisengineering-3861972-scaled-e1668181587801.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\/11\/pexels-thisisengineering-3861972-scaled-e1668181587801.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-thisisengineering-3861972-scaled-e1668181587801.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-thisisengineering-3861972-scaled-e1668181587801.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27635,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/small-business-owners-benefit-from-procurement-training\/","url_meta":{"origin":7873,"position":4},"title":"Small business owners benefit from procurement training","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"April 27, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Guyana Several small business owners underwent a procurement training exercise organised by the Small Business Bureau (SBB) and Public Procurement Commission (PPC), at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Monday. The one\u00a0 day forum provided small business owners with the knowledge to grow their businesses, the Department of Public\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","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\/2023\/04\/pexels-christina-morillo-1181615.jpg?fit=1015%2C653&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/pexels-christina-morillo-1181615.jpg?fit=1015%2C653&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/pexels-christina-morillo-1181615.jpg?fit=1015%2C653&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/pexels-christina-morillo-1181615.jpg?fit=1015%2C653&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27629,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/new-procurement-act-to-end-large-firm-dominance\/","url_meta":{"origin":7873,"position":5},"title":"New Procurement Act to end large firm \u2018dominance\u2019","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"April 27, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas The Prime Minister yesterday\u00a0said the Government\u2019s digital procurement platform has\u00a0generated\u00a0$2.6m savings in just four months since its launch as he slammed his predecessors for giving large firms \u201cdominance\u201d in contract awards. Philip Davis KC, leading-off House of Assembly debate on reforms to the Public Procurement Act, said close to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","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\/02\/hands-desk-office-working-mouse-Skitterphoto-Pexels.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/hands-desk-office-working-mouse-Skitterphoto-Pexels.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/hands-desk-office-working-mouse-Skitterphoto-Pexels.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/hands-desk-office-working-mouse-Skitterphoto-Pexels.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7873","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=7873"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7881,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7873\/revisions\/7881"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}