The new Public Procurement Law has replaced the Tender Board with the Public Procurement Authority, extending its oversight to cover any entity that spends public funds. However, the Authority lacks the power to repeal tenders that breach the law, potentially enhancing corruption. Additional issues have emerged at the municipal level, including the inability to form contracting and receiving committees, and the law’s failure to account for cases where only one, official price exists, and is set by the government. In addition, the law does not provide for alternative purchasing methods for petty cash expenses that cannot obtain two offers, such as buying fuel from the only gas station in town. Lastly, the law does not address challenges faced by municipalities dealing with natural disasters that need to move quickly. Therefore, there is an urgent need to amend the Public Procurement Law to allow municipalities to apply it.

• LIMS Exclusive: New Public Procurement Law Paralyzes Municipal Work, So What Is The Solution? February 14, 2023: LIMSLB, Article AR