Public Procurement Act, 2016
The current Act governing public procurement in Sierra Leone, strengthening transparency, competition and value for money in public spending.
Summary
The Public Procurement Act, 2016 is the principal statute governing the procurement of goods, works and services by public bodies in Sierra Leone. It replaced the Public Procurement Act, 2004 and strengthened the rules for transparent, competitive and accountable public spending.
The Act restates the principles of procurement, the role and powers of the National Public Procurement Authority, the responsibilities of procuring entities, the methods and procedures for procurement (including open competitive tendering as the default), the rules on evaluation and award, and the framework for the review of complaints and for sanctions against breaches, including debarment. It aims to secure value for money and to combat corruption in public contracts.
It operates alongside the public financial management framework.
Main provisions
- Governs the procurement of goods, works and services by public bodies.
- Provides for the National Public Procurement Authority and its powers.
- Sets procurement principles, methods and procedures.
- Makes open competitive tendering the default method.
- Provides for the review of complaints and for sanctions, including debarment.
- Aims to secure value for money and combat corruption.