RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE S/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
4October 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-4056)
Original: Spanish Working Party onGATS Rules
COMMUNICATION FROM COLOMBIA
Questionnaire onGovernment Procurement ofServices
Thefollowing communication isbeing circulated attherequest ofColombia tomembers of
theWorking Party onGATS Rules.
_______________
InColombia, thegovernment procurement ruleshavebeenunified inLaw80of1993, which
therefore applies toallcentral anddecentralized public bodies andentities, except inthecases provided
forinthatLaworother special laws.
I. EXISTING PROCUREMENT REGIMES
Definition
1. What isthedefinition ofgovernment procurement employed incompleting this
questionnaire?
There isnoexplicit definition ofgovernment procurement. However, government procurement
should beunderstood tomean therulesandprocedures governing thepurchase ofgoods andservices,
procurement ofworks andconcession ofactivities ofdifferent kinds bypublic entities among themselves
orwithprivate individuals, inorder tocarry outandimplement theirobjectives.
Theabove-mentioned Law 80of1993, which constitutes thegeneral statute governing
procurement bythepublic administration, establishes inArticle 10thatitsobject istoestablish the
rules andprinciples governing contracts ofstateentities.
Article 32ofLaw80establishes that"State contracts means alllegalactsperformed bythe
entities referred tointhisLawgiving risetoobligations which areprovided forinprivate laworin
special provisions orderive from theexercise offreewill..."
Administrative structure
2. Howaregovernmentprocurementactivitiesadministered?Towhatextentareprocurement
activities centralized? Please specify theidentity ofanycentral procurement agencies and
their respective responsibilities.
Theprocurement regime ofthepublic administration inColombia isdecentralized, which means
thatthere isnosingle body responsible formaking contracts, butrather eachcompetent entity can
dosoinaccordance withitsneeds andrequirements.S/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
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Theterritorial entities empowered toenter intocontracts, inaccordance withArticle 20of
Law80of1993, include theNation, region, departments, provinces, indigenous territories, districts,
municipalities, metropolitan areas andassociations ofmunicipalities, aswellaspublic establishments,
industrial andcommercial enterprises andmixed-ownership companies inwhich theStateholds more
than50percentofthecapital stock, indirect decentralized entities andotherlegalpersons withamajority
public shareholder, however named, ofallorders andlevels.
Atthecentral ornational level, forexample, contracts may besigned byMinistries,
AdministrativeDepartments,SupervisoryAuthorities,SpecialAdministrativeUnits,publicestablishments,
industrial andcommercial enterprises andjointcompanies attached orlinked totheabove-mentioned
central bodies. Again atthecentral level, contracts maybeentered intobytheSenate oftheRepublic,
Chamber ofRepresentatives, Judicial Service Commission, theOffice oftheGovernment Attorney,
theOffice oftheComptroller-General oftheRepublic, theOffice oftheProsecutor General ofthe
Nation andtheRegistry Office.
Apart fromtheseentities, theLawalsogrants otherStatebodies andestablishments thecapacity
tosigncontracts.
Laws andregulations inforce
3.(a) Please specify thelaws, regulations, rules, guidelines, decrees, decisions andother measures
governing government procurement. What isthescope oftheirapplication? Inparticular,
please describe anyexemptions thatexist. Please provide abrief summary ofthecontent
ofeachofthese measures.
Law80of1993 wasissued onthebasis ofthefinalindent ofArticle 150ofthePolitical
Constitution, which empowers Congress toenact thegeneral statute ofgovernment procurement and
inparticularprocurementbytheNationalAdministration.RegulationsunderthisLawhavebeenenacted
invarious instruments, including thefollowing:
- Decree 2681 of1993 partially regulating public credit operations;
- Decree 94of1994 delegating thepower toconduct, onbehalf oftheNation, the
transactions referred toinDecree 2681 of1993;
- Decree 679of1994 regulating various aspects ofLaw80,including thecertification
ofthequality ofgoods andservices; theestablishment ofrequirements forparticipation
bytemporary unions orconsortia intenders andcontracts; definition ofopenpublic
limited companies; decentralization ofcontractual actsandformalities; delegation
ofpower tosigncontracts; definition oftherules applicable toState contracts;
observance oftheprinciple ofreciprocity; qualification ofnational origin ofgoods
andservices; unpackaging oftechnology; definition ofbudgets ofentities; application
ofpositive administrative silence inconnection withrequests relating tocontract
performance; obligation tolodge thesingle guarantee forcontractual obligations, and
effects oflodging it;
- Decree 855of1994 establishing regulations under thestatute inrespect ofdirect
contracting. Thisdecree hasbeensupplemented andamended byother decrees;
- Decree 856of1994 governing theregister ofpotential tenderers ofchambers of
commerce;S/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
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- Decree1584of1994governingtheclassificationandqualificationofregisteredsuppliers
(proponentes) ,particularly inmatters relating totechnical andfinancial aspects, capital
andexperience;
- Decree 1985 of1984 governing thedelegation ofcapacity toenter intocontracts;
- Decree 1898 of1994 governing competitions forinsurance intermediaries;
- Decree 229of1995 establishing regulations under Law80inrespect ofthepostal
service;
- Decree 1448of1995governing thegrant ofconcessions forsome telecommunication
services;
- Decree 1446 of1995 governing thesound broadcasting service andtheorganization
andfunctioning ofradio networks.
Inaddition totheabove, thefollowing special provisions inLaw80andinother instruments
govern aspects ofgovernment procurement:
- Decree Laws 1900 and1901 of1990 reforming therules andstatutes regulating
telecommunications andrelated activities andservices;
- toapartial extent, Decree Law591of1991 relating tospecific forms ofcontracts to
promote scientific andtechnological activities;
- Law37of1993 regulating procedures, contracts, forms ofassociation andaward of
telecommunication services;
- Laws 142and143of1994 ontheregime forhousehold public services andfor
electricity inthenational territory, respectively. Thefirstofthese lawsestablishes
that,withafewexceptions, contracts entered intobyStateentities providing household
public services forthepurpose ofproviding suchservices aregoverned byprivate law.
Thesecond,concerningcontractsfortheconcessionoftheelectricityservice,establishes
thatthecontract willbeawarded through public tender tothebidder offering thebest
technical andeconomic conditions forthegrantor andusers, without prejudice toother
viable forms ofcontracting;
- Decree 930of1992establishing regulations under Decree Laws 1990and1901of1990
concerning theestablishment ofprivate telecommunication networks anduseofthe
radio spectrum;
- Decree 1137 of1996 establishing regulations under Decree No.1900 of1990, with
respect totheallocation andmanagement oftheelectro-magnetic spectrum attributed
tospaceradiocommunications,forusebysatellitenetworks,includingthespacesegment
andtheEarth segment.
(b) Doestheprocurement regime distinguish between theprocurement ofgoods andservices?
Ifso,thenhowistheapplication ofrules tobedetermined incases ofjointprocurement
involving bothgoods andservices?S/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
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Theprocurement ofgoods andtheprocurement ofservices constitute different modalities or
systems, although broadly speaking theformalities andprocedures arethesame. Obviously, each
modality ofgoods, services orworks mayinvolve different elements andrequirements, atleastinterms
ofitsnature andpurpose.
Nevertheless, theLawestablishes some differences between contracts forgoods andthose for
services, chief among which arethefollowing:
- Article 22ofLaw80imposes theobligation ofregistration withtheChambers of
Commerce fornatural orlegalpersons wishing toenterintocontracts withStateentities
forworks, consultancy andthesupply andpurchase ofmovable property. This
registration implies thatwould-be suppliers havetoclassify andqualify themselves.
Thesame Article exempts contracts fortheprovision ofservices from these
requirements.
- Article 24ofLaw80authorizes direct procurement, aswillbeseenbelow, inthecase
ofprofessional services ortheexecution ofartistic works thatcanonlybecommissioned
from specific natural orlegalpersons, orforcarrying outscientific ortechnological
activities. Italsoprovides fordirect contracting forprocurements ofgoods andservices
needed fornational defence orinthecaseofcontracts awarded byState entities for
theprovision ofhealth services.
- Article 33oftheLawestablishes thattelecommunication services andactivities will
beprovided through aconcession granted bydirect contracting orbylicences issued
bythecompetent entities inaccordance withDecree 1900 of1990 andanyother
provisions thatreplace, modify orsupplement thatDecree. Theparagraph ofthe
above-mentionedArticle33providesthattheprocedures,contracts,formsofassociation
andaward oftelecommunication services referred toinLaw37of1993willcontinue
tobegoverned bytheprovisions ofthelatter Lawandtheprovisions developing or
supplementing it.
- Article 34ofLaw80establishes thattheconcession forthesupply ofnational or
international long-distance switched fixed basic telephone services willbegranted in
accordance withDecree 2122 of1992.
- Article 35,paragraph 10ofLaw80provides thatthecommunity sound broadcasting
service isconsidered atelecommunication activity andgranted directly bylicensing,
subject tofulfilment ofthelegal, social andtechnical requirements andconditions
established bythenational government.
- Article 37ofLaw80,referring tomailandspecialized courier services, provides in
paragraph 10thattheprovision ofspecialized services willbegranted directly through
licensing.
Article 32,paragraph 1,ofLaw80establishes, interalia,thatcontracts entered intobycredit
establishments,insurancecompaniesandotherStatefinancialentitiesfallingwithintheirordinarybusiness
activities under theirby-laws arenotgoverned bytheprovisions ofLaw80butbythelawsand
regulations applicable tosuchactivities, thatistosaycivilandcommercial provisions.
Joint procurement ofgoods, services and/or works isnotexpressly provided forinLaw80
of1993. Inpractice, however, jointcontracts areusedtoallow simultaneous procurement ofgoods,
services andworks.S/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
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Procurement procedures applied
4.(a) What procedures arefollowed intheprocurement process?
Pursuant toArticle 24ofLaw80,thechoice ofacontractor isalways made through public
tender orcompetition, andexceptionally bydirect contracting.
Thepublic tender orcompetition procedure maybeassimilated towhat isordinarily called
opentendering, inwhich allthose interested insubmitting bidsmayparticipate. Thisprocedure is
usedtoselect bidsforgoods, services, works andconsultancy. Thecompetition procedure provided
forinColombian legislation establishes thesame rules forparticipation byinterested persons andis
governed bythesame formalities andprocedures asthepublic tender procedure. Itisusedforthe
selection ofbidsrelating totechnical, intellectual orspecialized studies orworks. Thedifference lies
inthefactthatwhereas thepublic tender procedure relates tothephysical aspects ofthegoods orservice
tobeprocured, thecompetition procedure relates totheintellectual capacity ortalent oftheperson
carrying outthework orservice. Another formal difference liesinthefactthattheconditions and
requirements ofthepublic tender procedure arecalled "tender specifications" while those ofthe
competition procedure arecalled the"terms ofreference".
TheLawdoesnotprovideforselectiveorlimitedtendering,althoughthisdoesariseexceptionally
insome cases ofdirect procurement.
Directcontracting,ordirectprocurement,isprovidedforinArticle24ofLaw80asanexception
tothepublic tender orcompetition procedure inthefollowing cases: contracts oflesser value; loan
contracts; interagency contracts; contracts fortheprovision ofprofessional services orperformance
ofartistic works; leasing orpurchase ofrealestate; cases of"manifest emergency"; where apublic
tender orcompetition procedure isdeclared void; where there arenobids,ornobidinkeeping with
thetender specifications orterms ofreference; where there isaninadequate number ofbids;
procurement ofgoods andservices fornational defence andsecurity; procurement ofagricultural goods
available incommodity exchange markets; contracts ofStateentities fortheprovision ofhealth services;
andactsandcontracts relating toindustrial andcommercial activities ofindustrial andtrading enterprises
andmixed-ownership companies. Thistypeofprocurement isessentially regulated byDecree 855
of1994.
Article 18ofDecree 855establishes thatforthepurposes ofArticle 24(m) ofLaw80of1993,
actsandcontracts directly relating tothecommercial andindustrial activities ofState industrial and
trading enterprises andmixed-ownership companies including thefollowing: purchase, barter, supply
andleasing ofgoods andservices constituting thebusiness purpose ofsuchentities; inputs, rawmaterials
andintermediate goods fortheobtention ofthegoods constituting thebusiness purpose ofsuchentities;
materials andequipment directly usedfortheproduction ofsuchgoods andservices, andforthe
marketing oftheirgoods andservices.
(b) Under what circumstances aredifferent procedures used? Forinstance, ifthemethod
useddepends onthevalue oftheprocurement, thethresholds should begiven.
Apartformtheselectionsystemsmentionedabove,thereareproceduresunderspecialprovisions
suchasthose mentioned inpoint 3(b)above. Inaddition, contracts relating toforeign credits with
multilateral credit organizations, foreign public-law persons orinternational cooperation, assistance
oraidagencies, maybesubject totheregulations ofthose entities, interalia,inmatters relating to
procurement procedures andsystems.S/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
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Article 76ofLaw80alsoexempts themining sector andstateenterprises engaged intrade
orindustry. Forexample, theColombian Petroleum Company -ECOPETROL -hasaspecial
procurement manual thatprovides forthefollowing types ofselection: open tendering, selective
tendering, anddirect procurement. Likewise, selection inthecaseofscience andtechnology contracts
maybecarried outbyanymeans, taking intoaccount thatsuchcontracts aregoverned byprivate law.
(c) What arethetime-limits fortheselection ofbids?
Thetime-limits, andextensions tothem, forthesubmission oftenders depend ontheterms
established forthepurpose foreachpublic tender orcompetition procedure. Inanycase,inaccordance
withArticle 30.5ofLaw80of1993, thetime-limit forthetender orcompetition istheperiod which
must elapse between thedateatwhich bidsmaybesubmitted andtheclosing oftheprocess.
Publicity forinviting tenders
5.(a) How areintended procurements publicized? Areinvitations totender published? Ifso,
where, andinwhat languages?
Prior topublication ofthetender orcompetition notices andinitiation ofthecorresponding
processes, Stateentities musttransmit totheircompetent Chamber ofCommerce general information
oneachtender orcompetition theywishtoopen. Onthebasis ofthisinformation theChamber of
Commerce published amonthly bulletin thatactsasachannel ofinformation forpossible registered
suppliers toprepare toparticipate, iftheysowish, inthetender orcompetition procedures concerned.
Under Article 12ofDecree 856of1994, theinformation inquestion must besubmitted tothe
corresponding Chamber ofCommerce within thefirstfiveworking daysofeachmonth. Thesingle
bulletin ispublished within thefirst20daysofeachmonth. Theinformation inquestion must also
betransmittedtotheColombianConfederationofChambersofCommerce(Confecámaras)forpublication
atnational level.
Article 30,paragraph 30,oftheLawprovides thatwithin 10to20calendar daysprior tothe
opening ofthetendering orcompetition procedure, uptothree notices shallbepublished atintervals
ofbetween twoandfivecalendar days, inmass-circulation newspapers within theterritorial jurisdiction
oftheentity or,failing such, inother public communication media having asimilar dissemination.
Thenotices shallcontain information onthepurpose andessential features ofthetendering procedure
orcompetition inquestion.
Some entities haverecourse topublicising theirinvitations totender through notices inforeign
newspapers ormagazines when theactivities tobeprocured require international participation, asin
thecaseofECOPETROL.
Publication isinSpanish, asprovided forbytheConstitution, andalsobecause Law80does
notprovide fortheuseofother languages.
(b) Dotheextent andform ofpublicity differ according totendering procedures applied and/or
onthevalue ofprocurement?
TheLawdoesnotprovide fordifferences intheextent andformofpublicity according tothe
tendering procedures applied and/or onthevalue ofprocurement.
Inthecaseofcontracts oflesser value andother contracts involving single tendering, publicity
iscarried outinaccordance withDecree 855of1994, asappropriate. Inthismodality, thepublic
invitation totender ismade through anotice setupinavisible place oftheentity concerned fortwoS/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
Page7
consecutive days. Public notices innational orregional mass-circulation newspapers arealsousually
employed.
(c) What details oftheintended procurement arenormally published? Isthere aminimum
setofinformation thatisrequired tobepublished? Ifso,please specify.
Inaccordance withArticle 30.3ofLaw80of1993, thenotices contain information onthe
purpose andessential features ofthetendering procedure orcompetition. They refer, interalia,to
thepurpose, amount, opening dateandhour, closing dateandhour, dateandhourofthemandatory
visittothesiteofthework, ifappropriate; place ofsale,withdrawal andconsultation ofthetender
specifications orterms ofreference; assessment andaward factors; conditions ofparticipation; and
guarantees oftheseriousness oftenders.
(d) Arethere anycharges forobtaining thefullsetoftender documents? Ifso,please specify
anddescribe howthese charges areset.
Public entities establish thecorresponding requirements tocover thepaper costs relating to
theacquisition ofthetender specifications orterms ofreference. Many ofthem usually charge the
equivalent of1percentoftheamount roughly budgeted forthecontract inquestion.
(e) Areelectronic means usedtoadvertise procurement opportunities? What isthenature
ofsystems thatareinplace? Aredifferent tendering provisions tocontracts advertised
inthismanner? Ifso,please describe.
There isnoprovision fortheuseofelectronic means toadvertise procurements andcontracts,
andthelawdoesnotprovide forthem. Inanycase, some entities havealready implemented such
asystem orareintheprocess ofdoing so.AResolution provides forfurnishing information oncontracts
awarded through electronic means, butthisprovision doesnotextend totendering orcompetitions.
Requirements laiddown forpossible suppliers
6.(a) Arethere registration, residence orother requirements forpotential suppliers?
Article 22ofLaw80of1993 provides thatanynatural orlegalperson wishing toenter into
contracts forworks, consultancy, orsupply andpurchase ofmovable property withpublic entities must
register withtheChamber ofCommerce oftheirjurisdiction. Thisregister ofsuppliers (proponentes) ,
which isdifferent from thecompany register, iscarried outbymeans ofasingle form prepared by
theGovernment forthepurpose.
Article 22alsoprovides thatforeign natural persons without domicile inthecountry orforeign
legalpersons without abranch inColombia, wishing tosubmit tenders orenter intocontracts with
public entities, mustregister assuppliers, byaccrediting theirenrolment inthecorresponding register
ofthecountry where theyhavetheirprinciple domicile. Inaddition, theymustaccredit inColombia
anagent domiciled inthecountry whoisdulyempowered tosubmit tenders andsigncontracts and
alsotorepresent them legally andinnon-legal matters.
Theclassificationandqualificationofregisteredsuppliersiscarriedoutbythepersonsthemselves
interested inentering intocontracts withpublic entities, onthebasis oftheprinciple ofgood faith.
Thecorresponding declarations, which aremade together withenrolment intheregister ofsuppliers,
must strictly follow theregulations laiddown bytheGovernment relating tocriteria ofexperience,
financial capacity, technical capacity, organization andavailability ofequipment. Thedeclarations
ofthesuppliers aresubject toverification bythecontracting entity, andmayalsobechallenged byS/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
Page8
anybody. Inaccuracy intheinformation provided leads tothecancellation oftheregistration aswell
asadministrative andpenal sanctions.
UndertheLaw,registeredsuppliersclassifythemselvesinthreecategories:builders,consultants
orsuppliers, according totheirfieldofspecialization. Registration assuchdoesnotrequire theposting
ofaguarantee.
(b) What isthenature ofanyconditions forparticipation required from suppliers -such
asfinancialguarantees,commercialstandingandtechnicalqualifications?Dotheconditions
ofparticipation vary according tothenature ofthetender process and/or thevalue of
theintended procurement?
Eachentity establishes asitseesfittheobjective requirements forparticipation intenders and
theselection ofbidders, oneofwhich istheposting ofaguarantee oftheseriousness ofthebidby
thebidder. Once these requirements havebeenlaiddown definitively, theentity isbound bythem.
(c) Dothere exist listsofapproved suppliers? Ifso,what aretheprocedures forchecking
thecapability offirms applying forinclusion ontenderers mailing lists? Arelistsof
approved suppliers, ifany,regularly reviewed/updated?
TheLawdoesnotprovide forlistsofapproved suppliers. Thecorresponding Chamber of
Commerce assigns aregistration number toeachregistered supplier andopens afilefordocuments
relating tothatperson 'sregistration andperformance asacontractor. TheChamber ofCommerce
issues thecorresponding certification onthebasis ofthedatacontained intheregistration fileand
information supplied bypublic entities. Thereview orupdating ofsuppliers iscarried outbytheprocess
ofregistration ofsuppliers, which isvalid foroneyear, attheendofwhich theymust renew their
registration inorder tocontinue tohavetheoption oftendering. Registered suppliers must update
theinitial information ormodify theterms oftheirregistration ifcircumstances arisemaking itessential
todoso.
Inaddition, onthebasis ofArticle 76ofLaw80of1993, Stateentities signing contracts for
theexploration andexploitation ofrenewable andnon-renewable natural resources andfortrading and
industrial activities aregoverned bytheirownregistration systems.
Criteria forassessing bidsandawarding contracts
7.(a) What criteria aretaken intoaccount intheaward oftenders? Arecriteria foraward
ofcontracts made available inadvance topotential suppliers?
Article 29ofLaw80establishes thattheselection ofthebidder mustbeobjective, onthebasis
ofthemostfavourable bid,andwithout taking account ofsubjective feelings orinterests. Themost
favourable bidistheonethattakes account ofvarious factors, suchasimplementation, experience,
organization, availability ofequipment, deadlines, price, andafullanddetailed weighting ofthese
factors. Preference mustnotbebased onfactors otherthanthose established inthetender specifications
orterms ofreference, norononeofthemalone, suchaslowest price orshortest deadline. Thebasic
criteria andprinciples areestablished intheLaw.
(b) Isprocurement subject toanyoffset provisions, suchaslocalcontent, technology transfer
orcountertrade requirements?
No.However, Article 21ofLaw80establishes interalia,that,forforeign bidders, andall
things being equal, preference willgotothetender thatincorporates themostlocalhuman resources,S/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
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local components andbesttechnology transfer conditions. Inthecaseoftheimplementation of
investment projects, the"unpackaging" oftechnology istobeprovided for.
(c) Ispreference given toanyparticular enterprises orgroup ofenterprises? Ifso,please
specify.
Onthebasis ofthecriteria fortheselection ofcontractors, theprinciples ofequality and
reciprocity, andguaranteed participation forbidsofdomestic origin, Law80doesnotofferpreferences
tospecific enterprises orgroups ofenterprises, except asprovided forinArticle 16ofDecree 855
of1994. ThisArticle authorizes Stateentities togivepreference inselection, inthecaseofthecontracts
covered bythatDecree, thatistosaydirect procurement, andallthings being equal, tolocal
cooperatives,micro-enterprises,foundations,communalactionassociationsandingeneralsimilarentities
oftheplace where thecontract istobeimplemented.
(d) Dotheprocurement criteria differ according tosector orregion oftheeconomy?
Law80of1993doesnotprovide foranychange inthebasiccriteria forprocurement according
tosector, region orbranch oftheeconomy. Nevertheless, while thismaynotbeinterpreted asachange
incriteria, Article 76ofLaw80provides foraspecial regime whereby contracts forexploration and
exploitation ofnatural resources, andfortrading, industrial andmarketing activities byStateentities
thatcarry outsuchactivities, willcontinue tobegoverned bytheapplicable special legislation. On
thebasis ofthisprovision theColombian Petroleum Company -ECOPETROL -forexample hasa
special procurement regime, although itapplies thegeneral principles established inLaw80of1993.
Inaddition, Article 35,second paragraph, ofLaw80provides thatthesound broadcasting
service maybegranted onlytoColombian nationals orlegalpersons dulyestablished inColombia.
(e) What isthemargin ofchoice ordiscretion allowed tothepurchasing authority? What
doestheextent, ifany,ofdiscretion allowed depend upon?
Pursuant toArticle 24,numeral 50,ofLaw80andtheprinciples onwhich itisbased, such
astransparency,economy,responsibilityandsubordinationtothepostulatesgoverningtheadministrative
function, thediscretionary power ofpublic officials isquite limited. Nevertheless, some discretion
mayexistattheprior stage ofsetting therequirements forthecontract anddetermining thetender
specifications orterms ofreference. Inaddition, under Article 30.3.4 andArticle 9ofLaw80,there
isalsodiscretion inthedetermination ofthenumber ofpublic notices forthetender procedure or
competition, orintheestablishment oftherelevant time-limits, orinthemodifications which thehead
oftheentity seesfittomake inthose documents asaresult ofthehearing conducted tospecify the
content andscope, orintheextension oftherelevant time-limits forthesubmission oftenders oraward
ofthecontract. Ontheother hand, there ispractically nodiscretion oncetherequirements, tender
specifications orterms ofreference havebeenfinally fixed.
Disclosure ofbidsreceived andcontracts awarded
8.(a) How aretenders received, registered andopened?
TheLawdoesnotestablish specific procedures. Entities establish therequirements forreceiving
tenders, although usually thisisdonebytheinterested bidders depositing them inanurnplaced for
thepurpose intheplace specified inthetender specifications orterms ofreference andinthenotices
publicising thetender procedure orcompetition. When thetender orcompetition period isover, the
urnisopened andthedeposited tenders areremoved, allofwhich isofficially recorded. Itisalso
usual toprovide forregistration ofreceipt ofthetenders submitted.S/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
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(b) Areentities required topublish details ofthecontracts awarded and/or notify unsuccessful
tenderers?
After thebidshavebeenexamined from thetechnical, economic andlegal standpoints, the
evaluation reports areprepared andtenderers areasked foranyclarifications orexplanations considered
essential. These evaluation reports arekeptinthesecretariat oftheentity forbidders tosubmit the
relevantcomments.Aftertheabove-mentionedformalitieshavebeencompleted,thecontractisawarded,
andthedecision stating thereasons isnotified totheselected tenderer. Unsuccessful tenderers are
informed ofthedecision iftheaward wasnotmade inapublic hearing. Article 30.10 oftheLaw,
together withArticle 273ofthePolitical Constitution, provides forthepossibility thattheaward be
made inapublic hearing, ofwhich thecorresponding official record setting outthediscussions and
decisions willbedrawn up.
Forthepurposes ofsocial control andpublic participation, Article 51ofLaw190of6June1995
provides that,asfromitsentry intoforce, Stateestablishments havetopublicize inavisible place of
theentity concerned, onceamonth, insimple layman 'sterms, adetailed listofgoods andservices
procured, theirdestination andthename ofthesuccessful bidder, aswellasthetenders declared void.
Article 59ofthesame Law190of1995 creates thecentral Unified Journal ofGovernment
Procurement asanAppendix totheOfficial Journal, which willcontain information oncontracting
bypublic entities atnational level. Itwillindicate thecontractors, purpose, value andunitvalues if
any,time-limit andsupplements ormodifications toeachofthecontracts, andwillbepublished in
suchawayastobeabletoestablish parameters forcomparisons according tocost,time-limit andtype,
soastoidentify significant differences inprocurement bythepublic administration, inevaluating its
efficiency. Publication ofcontracts willtakeplace within three months ofthepayment ofthefees
forpublication intheOfficial Journal.
(c) Areentities required topublish, orprovide tounsuccessful bidders, pertinent reasons
whytheir bidwasrejected?
Law80doesnotcontain anyprovision obliging Stateentities topublish orcommunicate the
reason whyrejected tenderers were notselected. Nevertheless, tenderers maylearn aspects ofthe
tender orcompetition through thefreedom ofaccess toinformation provided bytheLaw. Itisalso
possible toobtain information byrecourse totherightofpetition.
Treatment granted todomestic andforeign services and/or suppliers
9. What laws, regulations, procedures orpractices accord domestic services and/or suppliers
treatment more favourable than thataccorded toforeign services and/or suppliers, or
accord services and/or suppliers ofaMember more favourable treatment ofanother
Member? Please specify how, ifatall,more favourable treatment isaccorded. Please
alsospecify theworking definition of"domestic" inrelation todomestic services and
suppliers.
Ingeneral, national andforeign bidsaresubject toequal treatment. Article 20grants equality
oftreatment asbetween domestic andforeign bids,provided thecountry concerned offers Colombian
bidsequal treatment withdomestic bids. Inother words, equal treatment depends ontheapplication
oftheprinciple ofreciprocity. Article 15-04.1 oftheFree-Trade Agreement between Colombia, Mexico
andVenezuela, approved byLaw172of1994, establishes national treatment asbetween suppliers
ofgoods andservices ofanother country Party anddomestic suppliers.S/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
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Apart fromtheabove andtheexplanations inthereplies relating tothecriteria fortheevaluation
oftenders andtheaward ofcontracts inpoint 7above, Article 21ofLaw80of1993 establishes that
State entities mustguarantee theparticipation ofsuppliers ofgoods andservices ofdomestic origin,
undercompetitiveconditionsofquality,opportunityandprice,withoutprejudicetotheobjectiveselection
procedure, wherever supply ofdomestic origin exists. ThesameArticle establishes thefollowing rules:
(i)Under equality ofconditions forprocurement, preference shallbegiven tothesupply ofgoods
andservices ofdomestic origin; (ii)forforeign suppliers whoareinaposition ofequality ofconditions,
preference shallbegiven totheoneincorporating themost domestic human resources, thebiggest
localcomponent andthebestconditions oftechnology transfer; (iii)inthecaseofimplementation
ofinvestment projects, provision shallbemade fortheunpackaging oftechnology.
Article 44ofLaw80alsoprovides thatState contracts areabsolutely voidwhere ..."they
havebeenconcluded disregarding thecriteria established inArticle 21onthetreatment ofdomestic
andforeign bidsorinviolation ofthereciprocity provided forinthisLaw".
Withtheexception oftheabove andwhatwassaidinthesection oncriteria fortheevaluation
oftendersandtheawardofcontracts(point7),therearenoprocurementprovisionsaccordingpreferential
treatment tobidsfromoneforeign country anddiscriminating against those ofanother foreign country.
Procedures forhearing andreviewing complaints/appeals
10. What, ifany,aretheprocedures available forparties, domestic andforeign, tolodge
complaints against theaward ofacontract? Please provide details.
Inaccordance withArticle 77,firstparagraph, ofLaw80of1993, there isnoappeal by
administrative channels against anadjudication. Theaward decision maybechallenged bybringing
anaction forannulment andrestoration ofrights inaccordance withtherules oftheAdministrative
Litigation Code.
Inthisregard, Article 85oftheAdministrative Litigation Code establishes thatanyperson
whobelieves thathehasbeeninjured inarightprotected byalegalprovision mayrequest thatthe
administrative actbeannulled andhisrightberestored; hemayalsorequest reparation oftheinjury.
Thisaction mayalsobebrought byanyone whoclaims thatafiscal orother typeofobligation should
bechanged orthatanamount unduly paidbereturned.
Inaddition, Article 36,second paragraph, oftheAdministrative Litigation Code provides
interaliathattheaction fortherestoration ofrights shalllapse afterfourmonths from thedayof
publication, notification orexecution oftheact,asthecasemaybe.
ThecompetentcourtsofadministrativejurisdictionaretheAdministrativeCourtsandtheCouncil
ofState.
II. MEMBERSHIPOFPLURILATERAL,REGIONALAND/ORBILATERALAGREEMENTS
11. IstheMember party toanyplurilateral, regional and/or bilateral agreements with
provisions ongovernment procurement? Ifso,please describe therelevant provisions.
Colombia, Mexico andVenezuela aremembers oftheFree Trade Agreement signed on
13June1994andapproved inColombia byLaw172of20December 1994. Chapter XVoftheTreaty
refers tothegovernment procurement regime among thethree countries. Thebasic subject matter
includes basic definitions; scope ofapplication; observance oftheprinciples ofnational treatment,
non-discrimination andmost-favoured-nation treatment; basic procedures fortendering, selectiveS/WPGR/W/11/Add.8
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tendering andlimited tendering, ordirect procurement; procedures forthesubmission, reception and
opening ofbidsandaward ofcontracts; procedures forchallenging andfordispute settlement. The
Annexes toChapter XVspelloutthescope oftherules contained intheChapter andtheexceptions
forwhich itprovides. Such exceptions apply inparticular between Colombia andVenezuela.
There arenogovernment procurement provisions intheLAIA orAndean Group. Some
agreements signed within theLAIA framework have provided fortheadoption ofgovernment
procurement provisions, butsofartheyhaveneither beenproposed noraccepted.
III. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OFSERVICES PROCUREMENT
12.(a) Please provide statistics (ifavailable) onthenumber andvalue ofservices procurements:
- Onbothanaggregate andsectoral basis;
- byorigin ofservices andsuppliers.
(b) Please provide statistics (ifavailable) onthe:
- Share ofservices procurement intotalprocurement;
- share ofprocurement ofeachservice intotaldomestic output oftheservice;
- share ofprocurement ofeachservice intotaldomestic consumption oftheservice.
Nodatabase exists which would make itpossible toprovide consolidated statistics onthetotal
amount ofprocurement ofservices, nottomention broken down bysectors orsuppliers.
Inview oftheimportance ofthisaspect, theMinistry ofForeign Trade isworking onthe
compilation ofdatainorder toremedy theexisting situation.