Ministries to get their own public procurement offices in major revamp

Public procurement of government services will be decentralised as part of a revamp intended to lead to more transparency efficiency and flexibility, and less bureaucracy.

Each ministry will set up its own procurement office, that will be responsible for processing offers for government contracts worth between €10,000 and €250,000 handed out by authorities that fall under their responsibility.

The revamp will also see the role of the Department of Contracts will change from that of an operator to a regulator, and all calls for tender will now be made online through an Electronic Public Procurement System. Government contracts worth over €10,000 will have to be issued following a call for tender, a change from the current system whereby three quotations can be requested.

A single Public Procurement Review Board will also hear all appeals for contracts worth €5,000 or over.

Moreover, the new regulations will “make it easier” for government to blacklist from public contract companies or individuals who employ workers in precarious conditions, or who have been found guilty of corruption, fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, employing minors, and failing to pay social security contributions.

In a joint statement, finance minister Edward Scicluna and principal permanent secretary Mario Cutajar said that the regulations will make it easier and cheaper for small and medium businesses to bid for public contracts, and bring Malta in line with EU directives.