Senate approves in first reading, with modifications, the Public Procurement Bill

Santo Domingo. – The Senate Plenary approved in first reading, with modifications, the Public Procurement Bill, an initiative sent by the Chamber of Deputies.
The legislative proposal was submitted by deputies Franklin Ramírez de los Santos, Dilenia Altagracia Santos Muñoz, Gabriela María Abreu Santos and María de los Ángeles Rodríguez Bonseñor.

This regulation establishes a legal framework for public procurement by determining the bodies, principles, procedures and applicable rules, in order to ensure an efficient use of public funds and greater satisfaction of the needs of general interest and the fundamental rights of individuals. All this will be done by applying cross-cutting criteria that ensure sustainable development and promote the use of technology.

The purpose of this bill is to strengthen the regulatory authority of the governing body, while extending the scope and capacity of controls to achieve maximum transparency.

The proposal contemplates the creation of the National Public Procurement System, under the direction of the General Directorate of Public Procurement, which will be organized according to the technique of centralization of policies and norms, as well as by the technique of decentralization of management.

Hereinafter, this legislative piece includes framework agreements, which are agreements resulting from the supplier selection procedure, identification of sources for the application of the law —which includes resource allocation and fees for services—, complementary regulations, ineligibilities to contract, permitted percentages and maximum thresholds for contracting.

In addition, it establishes the possibility of full or partial execution through electronic means, for the actions of the contracting institutions, bidders and suppliers, such as calls for tenders, submission of proposals, among others.