Revised IRR of RA 9184 finally signed

After several months of waiting, the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) has finally signed on July 22nd, the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulation of RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA).

Among those who witnessed the signing ceremony was World Bank Acting Country Director Maryse Gautier. The revised IRR which is contained in GPPB Resolution 03-2009, reduces the documentary requirements on bidder's eligibility; lessens transactions costs for bidders, and provides clearer rules on the scope and application of alternative modes of procurement, thus ensuring transparency and encouraging greater participation from a greater number of bidders.

Among the most notable features of the revised IRR which addresses the common dilemma of procuring entities in resorting to alternative modes of procurement, is to increase the thresholds or the maximum amount of ABC for Shopping and small value procurement.

The revised thresholds are:

1. Shopping during unforeseen contingency per Sec. 52.1(a)- P100,000 for NGAs, GOCCs, GFIs and SUCs. For LGUs, from P50,000 to P100,000 depending on their economic classification;

2. Shopping when the items are not available in the Procurement Service per Sec. 52.1(b) and Small Value Procurement (Negotiated Procurement) per Sec. 53.9 - P500,000 for NGAs, GOCCs, GFIs and SUCs. For LGUs, P50,000 to P500,000 depending on their economic classification.

The rest of the changes in the procurement rules per the revised IRR will be discussed in my next post.