Office of the Contractor-General

It is important to emphasize that the Government of Jamaica Procurement Procedures are determined and promulgated by the Cabinet of the Government of Jamaica. They are neither determined, prescribed nor imposed by the Office of the Contractor General (OCG).

The role of the OCG, in so far as the Government of Jamaica Procurement Procedures are concerned, is to monitor and to investigate the award and termination of Government contracts, licenses and permits to ensure that same have been carried out, inter alia, in compliance with the relevant Procurement Procedures.

Second Revised Handbook of Public Sector Procurement Procedures (SRHPP)

The Second Revised Handbook of Public Sector Procurement Procedures (the "Second Revised Handbook" or "SRHPP") is now on-line. By way of Circular No. 34, dated December 10, 2010, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has advised all "Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Chief Executive Officers and other Heads of Procuring Entities" as follows:

"Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Chief Executive Officers and other Heads of Procuring Entities are hereby advised that by way of Decision No. 40, dated November 1, 2010, Cabinet gave approval for the issuing of a new Procurement Policy and a second revised edition of the Handbook of Public Sector Procurement Procedures.

Effective January 2, 2011, the new Procurement Policy will replace the existing Procurement Policy Statement and the revised Handbook of October 2010 will replace the November 2008 edition. Please note that the new documents will be published in electronic format accessible from the Ministry's website at www.mof.gov.jm.

All Heads should ensure that the new documents are brought to the attention of procurement staff and other relevant Officers."

The Second Revised Handbook of Public Sector Procurement Procedures (the "Second Revised Handbook" or "SRHPP") contains the applicable procedures which must be strictly adhered to by every Public Body which seeks to engage in a Government of Jamaica procurement or contract award activity.

If any Public Body is in doubt about the interpretation or applicability of any provision of the Second Revised Handbook, please contact the Deputy Financial Secretary with portfolio responsibility for the Procurement and Asset Policy Unit of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.