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The National
Contracts Commission
The National Contracts Commission (NCC) was established
to promote efficiency in the award and implementation
of government contracts in Jamaica, following amendment
of the Contractor General's Act in 1999, replacing the
Government Contracts Committee which operated since
1963. The NCC is an independent Commission of Parliament
with responsibility for overseeing the public sector
procurement process and is required by law to ensure
transparency, integrity and equity in the process.
Functions
In carrying out its functions, the National Contracts
Commission:
- Examines tenders submitted for the award of contracts.
- Makes recommendations on the award of contracts
to Government Ministries, Agencies, Departments and
Cabinet, as required
- Has established and maintains a national register
of public sector contractors, grading them in accordance
with their capabilities and categorizing them in approximately
thirty (30) skills areas.
- Presents proposals to Cabinet for improving efficiency
in the procedures for the granting and implementation
of government contracts.
- Oversees the activities of Sector Committees established
by the Commission itself to help the NCC to discharge
its responsibilities more effectively.
Powers of the National Contracts Commission
The Commission may by law enter into any transaction
which it considers necessary or desirable for the proper
performance of its functions. The NCC has the power
to make regulations as provided for in the Contractor
General’s Act and so may determine:
- the qualifications of prospective contractors and
consultants for registration and classification
- the procedure for submission of tenders for government
contracts
- the requirement for contractors to enter into performance
bonds
- competitive bidding for government contracts
- the circumstances and procedures for cancelling
the registration of contractors and consultants
Membership
The Commission has eight (8) members, headed by a Chairman.
Its membership includes representatives from government
agencies and the private sector. The members of the
Commission are appointed to server for a period of seven
(7) years.
Sector Committees
The National Contracts Commission has established Sector
Committees to facilitate the speedy processing of contracts.
Sector Committees examine contract proposals for works,
goods and services and guide and assist public sector
entities.
Sector Committees have been established at the Ministry
of Education and Culture, the Urban Development Corporation,
the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Jamaica Public Service
Company Limited, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund,
the National Works Agency, the Ministry of Water and
Housing and the Ministry of Health. These entities were
chosen to host NCC’s Sector Committees as they
have in place the resources and experience necessary
to support the process for the award of contracts.
The Sector Committees do not make decisions as to whether
or not a project should be undertaken, or services procured,
but rather ensures that the process by which a contractor
or supplier is recommended for selection is fair and
transparent, and indeed based on merit.
Standardized Procedures
Standardized contractor registration procedures and
new procurement guidelines that have been introduced
will ensure that the process of awarding contracts awards
is conducted with integrity and can stand up to public
scrutiny. These standardized procedures, which place
emphasis on transparency and consistency at all stages
of public sector procurement, also serve as a guide
to Ministries, Agencies and Departments in the invitation,
evaluation and documentation of the contractor selection
process.
Relationship with the Office of the Contractor-General
The Office of the Contractor General is responsible
for providing the National Contracts Commission and
its Sector Committees with the administrative and other
resources required to enable the proper performance
of the NCC’s role and functions.
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