Page 62 - Procurement guidelines for smart sustainable cities - A U4SSC deliverable

“While emergency procedures are needed, they must remain publicly accountable for every
contract concluded and spent. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is spent.”

Open Contracting Partnership

The approach

On 17 March 2020, Colombia’s President Ivan Duque declared a state of emergency. As well as
measures aimed at limiting the spread of the virus, the order relaxed many rules around public
procurement. Under conditions of “manifest urgency” or force majeure, this meant that contracts
could be awarded to suppliers directly, and that approvals and funding could be fast tracked.

While these approaches can help source supplies faster, they can also raise corruption risks such as
price gouging, bribery and the delivery of poor-quality products. Colombia’s public buying agency,
Colombia Compra Eficiente (CCE), looked into how to use its experience with digital tools to help
accelerate the process while ensuring transparency and value for money.

Buyers were encouraged to use CCE’s existing e-Procurement platform and guidance from the
World Health Organization to prioritize needs, verify supplier details and check prices.

In addition, several new resources were developed including:

• a framework agreementfor suppliers providing COVID-19-related products and services;

• an “aggregated buying tool” or online catalogue enabling bulk buying of emergency materials
such as PPE, disinfection services and medical equipment; and

• a dedicated website to allow public monitoring of contracts awarded during the pandemic.

48 Procurement guidelines for smart sustainable cities | May 2023