Dominica: Public Property Act 2021 to come into effect from 1 April 2022

Roseau, Dominica: Cassani Laville, Minister of Public Works and the Digital Economy, stated that the public property act number 14 of 2021 will come into effect on April 01 2022. The house of assembly passed the Act on December 05 2021. The Cabinet approved the commencement date according to section 86 of the Act, which provides for the Minister of finance to make regulations to give effect to the provisions of the Act. Minister Laville said the Cabinet also approved Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Regulations 2022. The new act replaces the Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act of 2012. It aims to modernize public procurement by the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability and attaining the best value for money.Key objectives of Public Property Ac Minister of Public Works and the Digital Economy said the Public Property Act would Modernize public procurement following principles of good governance. It will also establish institutions required for the implementation of new legislation, such as the Public Procurement Board Procurement Review Counsell. The Act also aims to the current participation of supplies, contractors and consultants in public procurement proceedings. The regulation outlines procurement criteria, including publishing open competitive procurement opportunities, content required in bidding documents and bid security. "It includes measures to domestic industry and social, economic development through procurement by micro, small and medium-sized enterprise, including the ones led by women, youth, elderly and persons with disability group identified by the Ministers," said Cassani Laville. Furthermore, he said the evaluation committee would examine bids to ensure they meet basic eligibility criteria prior to a more detailed evaluation. 

"The regulations provide for a two-stage bidding for an open and competitive procurement process including technical evaluation and final bid containing prices and other financial details," said the Minister. 

He also stated that the procurement method details would term the consultancy contract and requires that the selection processes be based on the quality or cost method.