The decree published in Diaro de Central America indicates that   "...The reforms include a total of 25 items. The first of these states that in the process of acquisitions made with resources from external loans originating from public credit operations or donations to the State, its agencies, institutions or municipal councils, policies and established procedures will apply to financial agencies or donors, considering these provisions as a special rule."

For example, "...Article 3, which amends Article 8 of the law reads: "The National Statistics Institute will prepare and publish monthly in Guatecompras and on its website, reference prices or average prices, wages or indices that are required in the categories of open contracts and ERAs. "

More on this topic

Panama: NO to Companies Condemned in Other Countries

January 2018

A new law initiative pretends to forbid the participation of companies that have been convicted in other countries for crimes against the public administration in contracts with the State.

The bill that was presented on January 23, requests the modification of texts in the legal framework that regulate Panamanian public procurement, to avoid awarding contracts to companies that are accused of acts of corruption in Panama and also abroad. 

Panama: Vetoes of Procurement Law

June 2016

President Varela signaled the need to include medicine purchases in the law, among other objections, and did not make mention of the debarment of companies with foreign convictions for corruption.

The main objection put forward by various social groups to the new law on state procurement is that it does not establish the exclusion of businesses convicted abroad for corruption from being state providers, and these groups have asked President Varela to veto the law for that reason .The president vetoed 8 articles of the law, but did not say anything in his observations about that particular topic.

Guatemala: Regulations for Selling to the State

June 2016

The much awaited regulation on the Law on Government Procurement determines the process for ERAs, and sets out a methodology for reference prices.

On June 24 the regulations for the amended Law on Government Procurement will come into effect, establishing, among other things, how negotiations should be conducted, a definition for the information system for Contracting and Procurements, and procedures to be followed when setting reference prices in tenders.

Changes to Public Procurement Act

February 2016

Changes to the management of "turnkey" contracts and elimination of abbreviated tenders are part of the changes included in the bill which has already been approved by the Executive in Panama.

The bill was sent by the government to the National Assembly, where it will be discussed for approval.