From a press release published by Diario de Centro América:

In order to make purchasing and tendering processes more transparent, and so that the information for audit is fully accessible to the public, from June the Ministry of Public Finance (Minfin) will make changes to the website Guatecompras.

Carias Dorval, Deputy Finance Minister said that at present in order to access information about a contest or event published in Guatecompras, the user must know the system, something that is difficult because it is not an easy to understand, which makes it difficult to find the required information.

One of the changes the Minfin aims to make is to integrate into each event a form with information on the members of rating boards, responsible for direct purchases and exception mechanisms.

Transparency

Carmen Aida Ibarra, from the Movement for Justice, says there are now tools for transparency, "which did not exist before, but it must be ensured that these are not made a mockery of."

$2 billion in Awards

A total of $2 billion was handled by the website Guatecompras during 2012 in various procurement processes, tenders and awards.

Yet to be approved in the Congress are initiatives 4461 and 4462, with which it is intended that these two forms of purchases also make use of the normal processes for government agencies, through Guatecompras.

More on this topic

Guatemala: Government Procurements Centralized

November 2015

A new procurement law defines reference prices for the tenders, regulates reverse auctions, and establishes Guatecompras as the only system to be used to manage purchases.

Congress has approved the first amendments to the Law on Government Procurements, among which is the establishment of Guatecompras as the only system authorized for state institutions to make purchases from.

Changes to Guatecompras System

October 2013

Now it will be possible to know who will technically and legally evaluate the conditions for purchasing processes, and those who make up the awarding body of the events.

From a press release by the Ministry of Finance in Guatemala:

The Ministry of Finance will implement, from Monday September 30, the first phase of modifications to the web portal "Sistema de Información de Contrataciones y Adquisiciones del Estado -GUATECOMPRAS (www.guatecompras.gt) -" which increases transparency and makes information available on purchases and acquisitions by government and state run entities.

Additional Requirements for Government Suppliers in Guatemala

March 2011

As of April 1st suppliers of goods and services for the State must send copies of legal and financial documentation through web portal Guatecompras.

The legislation seeks greater control of suppliers and to prevent money laundering.

Providers who fail to comply with the rules cannot make offers to any government agencies.

Guatemala: State Contracting Law Under Consideration

February 2009

Within the amendments of the Contracting Law, a proposal was formulated to implement changes in the web site Guatecompras.

Prensalibre.com publishes in its website: "If these modifications are incorporated into the initiative—that is to be approved in its third reading—, the national and international agencies and the associations and trusts, among others, will be obligated to use Guatecompras."