GPA/S/2  
 
3 July 2020  
(20-4622) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Government Procurement    
 
 
COMPILATION OF INFOR MATION PROVIDED BY G PA PARTIES AND OBSER VERS  
ON THEIR COVID -19-RELATED GOVERNMENT PRO CUREMENT MEASURES  
NOTE BY THE SECRETAR IAT1 
In his message dated 24 March 2020, Director -General Azevêdo called for submission of information 
to the WTO Secretariat about recent trade and trade -related measures with specific attention to the 
policies that Members have introduced in response to the C OVID -19 outbreak. Government 
procurement regulations are among the illustrative list of measures identified in that message. 
Subsequently, in a communication dated 2 April 2020, the Chair of the Committee on Government 
Procurement, Mr. Carlos Vanderloo, re ferred to the Director -General's message and encouraged 
delegations to share information on government procurement measures responding to the COVID -19 
outbreak, such as emergency procurement rules and trade -facilitating measures, by 24 April 2020 
(the date  mentioned in the Director -General's communication). He also noted that Article XXII:5 of 
the GPA requires that "each Party […] inform the Committee of any changes to its laws and 
regulations relevant to this Agreement and in the administration of such law s and regulations". The 
purpose of this exercise is to facilitate transparency and policy learning among Parties and 
Observers.  
In his communication dated 2 April 2020, the Chair said that he would ask the Secretariat to compile 
the information received an d circulate an initial compilation. In response to the Chair's request, the 
Secretariat circulated a compilation containing information from four delegations: Switzerland and 
Ukraine as well as the Philippines and the United Kingdom.2 All other delegations  were encouraged 
to assist in collating additional information about COVID -19-related government procurement 
measures and were invited to submit any relevant information for inclusion in the compilation by  
15 June 2020. Subsequent to that date, additional  information was provided by Hong Kong, China, 
and Brazil . No comments on the initial compilation were received.  
This note reproduces the content of the initial compilation and now additionally includes the 
information provided by Hong Kong, China, and Bra zil. 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice to 
the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
2 RD/GPA/103, dated 15 May 2020.   
  GPA/S/2  
 
- 2 - I. PARTIES  
1  HONG KONG, CHINA  
Item  Measure  Source  Adoption Date/ Effective 
Date  
1 HK$1 billion funding is earmarked under the Anti -epidemic 
Fund to ensure the Government has sufficient funds readily 
available for the global procurement of personal protective 
equipment in the highly competitive market.  https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/anti -
epidemic -fund-1.html  
(Please refer to Measure No.  3 on Global 
Procurement of Personal Protective  Equipment)  Funding approval was given 
by the Finance Committee of 
the Legislative Council on 
21 February 2020  
2 Procuring departments of the Government are asked to 
exercise flexibility and streamline internal procedures with 
a view to settle payments to government contractors 
expeditiously upon satisfactory completion of deliverables. 
In addition, procuring departments are encouraged to 
handle contract payment schedules in a compassionate 
manner by providing more frequent payments, breaking up  
milestones in payment schedules into more deliverables to 
enable more frequent payments, and providing larger sums 
for upfront payments.  https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/2 02004/1
6/P2020041600487.htm  
 
https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr19 -
20/english/fc/fc/papers/f20 -02e.pdf  
 
(Please refer to Enclosure  J on Flexible Handling 
of Government Works and Non-works Contracts 
and Other Development Projects)  Internal guidelines were 
issued by the Financial 
Services and the Treasury 
Bureau in March and April 
2020 
3 Procuring departments of the Government are asked to 
provide advance payment3 to contractors to  facilitate their 
cash flow under on -going and new public works contracts.  https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr19 -
20/english/fc/fc/papers/f20 -02e.pdf  
(Please refer to Enclosure J on Flexible Handling 
of Government Works and Non -works Contracts 
and Other Development Projects)  Internal guidelines were 
issued by the Development 
Bureau from F ebruary to 
June for different types of 
new and on -going works 
contracts  
4 Procuring departments of the Government are asked to 
expedite processing payment application (within 21 
calendar days) in public works contracts.  https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr19 -
20/english/fc/fc/papers/f20 -02e.pdf  
(Please refer to Enclosure  J on Flexible Handling 
of Government Works and Non -works Contracts 
and Other Development Projects ) Internal guidelin e was 
issued by the Development 
Bureau in February 2020  
 
 
3 Maximum 2% -5% of value of works capped at HK$10 million or HK$30 million depending on the nature of works and type of contracts.   
  GPA/S/2  
 
- 3 - 2  SWITZERLAND  
The Swiss Federal Procurement Conference issued recommendations to the attention of public buyers to illustrate the flexibili ties provided by existing 
procurement legislation regarding the managing of ongoing contracts, public procurement procedures, planned procurements and procurements in the 
case of extreme urgency in the context of the coronavirus crisis. Such recommendations are intended to mitigate the effects o n the Swis s economy 
during the extraordinary situation within the meaning of Ordinance 2 of 13 March 2020 of the Federal Council on measures to c ombat the Coronavirus 
(COVID -19) and up to six months after the end of the extraordinary situation.  
https://www.bkb.admin.ch/bkb/fr/home/hilfsmittel/coronavirus.html  
3  UKRAINE  
Measures  Source  Date  
It established that the Law of Ukraine "On Public Procurement" 
does not apply to  cases where the subject of procurement is goods, 
works or services necessary for taking measures aimed to prevent 
occurrence and spread, localize and liquidate the outbreak, 
epidemics and pandemics of the coronavirus disease (COVID -19) 
within Ukraine, and  it is also determined that the list of such goods, 
works or services and the procedure for their purchase are 
approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.4 The Law of Ukraine "On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of 
Ukraine aimed at Preventing the Occ urrence and Spread of 
Coronovirus Disease" (hereinafter - the Law), which amended 
the Section "Final and Transitional Provisions" of the Law of 
Ukraine "On Public procurement" and the New Law of Ukraine 
"On Public Procurement" as amended, which will enter into 
force on 19 April 2020 (paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Law).  
https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/530 -20 (in Ukrainian).  Date of 
adoption: 17 
March 2020;  
 
Entry into 
force: 1 April 
2020.  
This Procedure sets out the rules of procurement of supplies, works 
and services necessary for taking measures aimed to prevent 
occurrence and spread, localize and liquidate the outbreak, 
epidemics and pandemics of the coronavirus disease (COVID -19) 
within  Ukraine.5 The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 20 
March 2020 No. 225 "Some issues of procurement of supplies, 
works and services necessary for taking measures aimed to 
prevent occurrence and spread, localize and liquidate the 
outbreak,  epidemics and pandemics of the coronavirus disease 
(COVID -19) within Ukraine".  
 
https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/deyaki -pitannya -zakupivli -
tovariv -robit-i-poslug -neobhidnih -dlya-zdijsnennya -zahodiv -
spryamovanih -na-zapobigannya -viniknennyu -ta-
poshirennyu -lokalizaciyu -225200320  (in Ukrainian).   
 
4 This information has also been s ubmitted to the Committee on Government Procurement pursuant to Article XXII:5 of the revised GPA, as contained in 
document GPA/LEGIS/UKR/ 1, dated 15 April 2020.  
5 This information has also been submitted  to the Committee on Government Procurement pursuant  to Article XXII:5 of the revised GPA, as contained in 
document GPA/LEGIS/UKR/2, dated 15 April 2020.   
  GPA/S/2  
 
- 4 - Measures  Source  Date  
The amendments expanded the list of goods, works and services 
necessary for the implementation of measures aimed at preventing 
the onset and spread, localization and elimination of outbreaks, 
epidemics and pandemics of the coronavirus disease (COVID -19) 
in Ukraine, as well as simplified the procedure for their 
procurement.6 The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 29 
March 2020 No. 248 On amending the Resolution of the 
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 20 March 2020 No. 225 
"Some issues of procurement of supplies, works and services 
necessary for taking measures aimed to prevent occurrence 
and spread, localize and liquidate the outbreak, epidemics and 
pandemics of the coronavirus disease (COVID -19) within 
Ukraine".  
https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/pro -vnesennya -zmin-do-
postanovi -kabinetu -ministriv -ukrayini -vid-20-bereznya -
2020-r-225-248290320  (in Ukrainian);  
 
https://www.me.gov.ua/Documents/MoreDetails?lang=uk -
UA&id=274b77ed -ad89-446f-83f5-
7686f44827bd&title=Ug odaSotProDerzhavniZakupivli -
wtoGpa - (in English).  Date of 
adoption: 29 
March 2020;  
 
Entry into 
force: 1 April 
2020.  
Setting the rules of procurement and list of supplies, works and 
services necessary for the implementation of measures aimed at 
preventing the outbreak and spread of coronavirus disease COVID -
19 within Ukraine.  
 
Concerned goods (HS codes) or services:  
 
3004, 3003, 2939, 2933, 3808, 2208, 20710 00 10, 2207 20 00 
90, 2207, 2208, 3401, 3402, 8419, 8424, 8479, 8516, 8539 49 00 
00,  
9019 20 00 00, 8414, 9018, 8413,  
9018 90 84 00, 9027, 9018 20 00 00, 9019, 9402 90 00 00, 9403, 
9022, 9027, 8421 19, 3920, 3921, 3926, 9018 90 84 00, 9022 12 
00 00, 9018 90 20 00, 9022,  9018 11 00 00, 9018 12 00 00,  6505 
00, 6307 90 98 00, 3926 20 00 00, 6210 10 92 0 0, 6210 10 98 
00, 4015, 6116, 3926 90 97 90, 9020 00 00 00, 3926 90 97 90, 
9004 90 90 00, 9004 90 10 00, 6211 42 10 00, 6211 43 10 00, 
4015 90 00 00, 3005 90 31 00, 8421 39 20 00, 9406, 9402 90 00 
00, 9025, 9018 39 00 00, 3002, 3006, 3822 00 00 00, 9018 19  10 The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 20 
March 2020 No. 225 "Some issues of procurement of supplies, 
works and services necessary for taking measures aimed to 
prevent occurrence and spread, localize and liquidate the 
outbreak, epidemics and pandemics of the c oronavirus disease 
(COVID -19) within Ukraine" (with amendments).  
 
Viewed at: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/225 -2020-
%D0%BF  
 
WTO document s GPA/LEGIS/UKR/1,  
GPA/LEGIS/UKR/ 2, GPA/LEGIS/UKR/3  Effective 11 
April 2020  
 
6 This information has also been submitted  to the Committee on Government Procurement pursuant to  Article XXII:5 of the revised GPA, as contained in 
docum ent GPA/LEGIS/UKR/ 3, dated 15 April 2020.   
  GPA/S/2  
 
- 5 - Measures  Source  Date  
00, 9022 14 00 00, 7010, 9018 31, 9018 90 50 00, 2804 40 00 
00, 3926 90 97 90, 3923, 4819, 3821 00 00, 3919, 3923 10 00 
00, 4202, 9027500000, 8419, 3002109900, 3822000000, 8419 20 
00 00, 9403, 8421, 8479, 8418, 8703 32 19 00, 8705 90 80 90;  
Services:  
catering services (for COVID -19 patients and medical staff), non -
scheduled passenger transport (for COVID -19 patients and medical 
staff), staff non -scheduled passenger transport (arranging staff 
transport), indoor sanitation services  
 
II. OBSERVERS  
1  BRAZIL7 
Measures and 
Policies  Description  Source  Date  
Law 13,979/2020  It provides measures to deal with the public health emergency 
of international importance result ing from the coronavirus 
2019 outbreak. It deals with limited tendering, accelerating 
speed in the hiring process (dispensing preliminary study). If 
the auction modality is used, the deadlines are reduced by 
half. http://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/ -/lei-n-
13.979 -de-6-de-fevereiro -de-2020-242078735  06/02/2020  
Publication of 
public logistics 
guidelines and 
models to fight 
COVID -19 This internet page has been constan tly updated, with the 
objective of supporting agencies and entities in the execution 
of their internal actions to confront COVID -19, which allows 
for more agile responses from managers in the face of the 
pandemic.  https://www.comprasgovernamentais.gov.br/in
dex.php/gestorpublico/58 -gestor -de-
compras/1271 - 21/03/2020  
Flexibility in the 
acquisition of 
products - Virtual 
warehouse  It allows public agencies to purchase items such as masks, 
alcohol gels and digital thermometers since 03/23/2020 
through the virtual warehouse . https://www.comprasgovernamentais.gov.br/in
dex.php/gestorpublico/1279 -ministerio -da-
economia -agiliza -aquisicoes -de-produtos -para-
combater -o-coronavirus  23/03/2020  
 
7 Secretariat of Management of the Brazilian Ministry of Economy   
  GPA/S/2  
 
- 6 - Measures and 
Policies  Description  Source  Date  
Authorization to 
use the computers 
for home office  Observing the internal rules of each administrative unit, the 
Management Secretariat set guidelines for public entities that 
have civil servants that do not have the necessary 
technological equipment for the adequate provis ion of 
telework / remote, authorizing them to use the computers, by 
utilizing an electronic signature of the Term of Responsibility . https://www.comprasgovernamentais.gov.br/in
dex.php/gestorpublico/1276 -autorizacao -para-
liberacao -de-computadores -%20teletrabalho  25/03/2020  
Provisional 
Measure 929/2020  It provides measures to deal with the public health emergency 
of international importance stemmed  from the coronavirus 
2019 outbreak. It opens an extraordinary credit in the amount 
of BRL 3.4 billion.  http://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/ -/medida -
provisoria -n-929-de-25-de-marco -de-2020-
249676431  25/03/2020  
Decree 
10,314/2020  It provides for the receipt of donations of movable goods and 
services, free of charge or with charges, from individuals or 
legal entities under private law by the agencies and entities of 
the direct, autarchic and foundational federal public 
administratio n. It allows donation of masks and alcohol gel, 
for example for use in health units.  http://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/ -/decreto -n-
10.314 -de-6-de-abril-de-2020-251490656   
 
https://www.gov.br/economia/pt -
br/assuntos/noticias/2020/abril/decreto -
amplia -formas -de-doacoes -para-o-governo -
federal -por-cidadaos -e-empresas  06/04/2020  
Provisional 
Measure 951/2020  The changes resulting from the Provisional Measure are the 
following: (i) possibility of using, in the case of limited 
tendering, the Price Registration Sys tem (SRP); and (ii) 
procurement under the auction modality for the SRP will be 
considered national procurement, under the federal 
regulation.  https://www.comprasgovernamentais.gov.br/in
dex.php/gestorpublico/1292 -orientacao -mp-
951-2020-autoriza -SRP-para-combate -ao-
covid-19 15/04/2020  
Transparency and 
corruption 
prevention 
(COVID -19 
Purchasing Panel)  The Panel all ows transparency, monitoring and social control 
of public contracts to face COVID -19. The data include reverse 
auctions, layoffs and non -liabilities registered as having the 
legal basis of art. 4 of Law 13,979, of 2020, and purchases 
made under other legal  assumptions, but which contain some 
keywords (COVID, CORONA, PANDEMIA, FACING and SARS -
COV-2) related to coping with the pandemic in the objects and 
in the justifications for the purchase. If any irregularity is 
found, anyone can report it to the Office o f the Comptroller 
General of the Union.  https://www.comprasgovernamentais.gov.br/in
dex.php/transparenc ia/60-transparencia/1313 -
transparencia -dos-dados -de-compras -para-o-
covid-19  
 
https://www.gov.br/economia/pt -
br/assuntos/noticias/2020/abril/governo -lanca -
painel -com-dados-dos-pregoes -eletronicos -
voltados -ao-combate -ao-coronavirus  30/04/2020  
Provisional 
Measure 961/2020  It establishes innovation in public procurement in Brazil, 
debureaucratizing  and increasing the negotiating power of 
public administration. Greater bar gaining power makes it 
possible to ensure the provision of services and inject capital https://www.comprasgovernamentais.gov.br/i
mages/conteudo/covid19/MP -961.pdf  06/05/2020   
  GPA/S/2  
 
- 7 - Measures and 
Policies  Description  Source  Date  
into market sectors affected by the pandemic crisis. There is 
also an expansion of the scope of the Differentiated 
Contracting Regime (which is provided for in Law 12.46 2 / 
2011). This expansion allows the continuation of bids for 
public infrastructure contracts.  
Normative 
Instruction 43  It provides rules for the exemption of public procurement, 
installment  payments, compensation and suspension of debt 
collection resulting from an administrative fine, provided for in 
Laws No. 8,666, of June 21, 1993, No. 10,520, of July 17, 
2002 and No. 12,462, of 4 August 2011, within the scope of 
the direct, autarchic and foundational federal public 
administration, not registered in active debt. This possibility 
tries to maintain the economic health of these companies, 
especially during the pandemic period.  http://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/ -/instrucao -
normativa -n-43-de-8-de-junho -de-2020-
260785995  09/06/2020  
 
2  PHILIPPINES  
Measures  Mode(s) 
of Supply  Sectoral 
Classification  Source  Date  
Adoption of efficient, effective and expedient 
procurement procedures during a State of Public 
Health Emergency by amending Section 53.2 of the 
2016 revised IRR of RA No. 9184, and relevant 
items of Annex "H" of the same IRR.  Mode 3  Other Services  
Not Included  
Elsewhere  Governme nt 
Procurement Policy 
Board (GPPB)  
Resolution No. 03 -
2020 Adopted on 09 March 2020  
Published Date:  
13 March 2020 – Philippine Daily 
Inquirer (Effective immediately)  
Approved the acceptance of an expired Mayor's 
Permit with Official Receipt for the renewal 
application and unnotarized Omnibus Sworn 
Statement as basis for award under the Negotiated 
Procurement (Emergency Cases) Modality.  Mode 3  Other Services  
Not Included  
Elsewhere  GPPB Resolution 
No. 05 -2020 Adopted on 20 March 2020  
Published Date:  
24 March 2020 – Philippine Daily 
Inquirer (Effectivity: 20 March 
2020)  
Approved the Circular setting the Guidelines on the 
Emergency Procurement under RA No. 11469 or 
the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan Act) 
and recommending for a pproval of the President 
the increase of advance payment to thirty percent 
(30%) for procurement projects covered under the 
Bayanihan Act.  Mode 3  Other Services  
Not Included  
Elsewhere  GPPB Resolution 
No. 06 -2020 Adopted on 06 April 2020  
Published Date:  
12 April 2020 - The 
Philippine Star (Effective  
immediately)   
  GPA/S/2  
 
- 8 - 3  UNITED KINGDOM  
 
 
__________  Measures  Source  Date  
The United Kingdom has issued information and 
guidance for public authorities on public procurement 
regulations and responding to the Covid -19 outbreak.  United Kingdom government, Cabinet Office, Public Procurement Action Note 
01/20 Responding to Covid -19. This guidance is available at 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uplo
ads/attachment_data/file/873521/PPN_01 -20_-
_Responding_to_COVID19.v5__1_.pdf .  Effective 18 
March 2020  
The United Kingdom has issued guidance for public 
authorities on payment of their suppliers to ensure 
service continuity during and after the current Covid -
19 outbreak.  United Kingdom government, Cabinet Office, Public Procurement Action Note 
02/20 Supplier relief due to Covid -19. This guidance is in effect until June 
30, 2020 and is available at 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uplo
ads/attachment_data/file/874178/PPN_02_20_Supplier_Relief_due_to_Cov
id19.pdf .  Effective 20 
March  2020 
Procurement Policy Note 03/20 sets out information 
and guidance to central government departments, 
their executive agencies, and non -departmental public 
bodies on the use of procurement cards. The aim is to 
accelerate payments to suppliers to suppor t and 
improve cash flow. This will help support the economy, 
jobs, and infrastructure.  United Kingdom government, Cabinet Office, Public Procurement Action 
Note 03/20 Supplier relief due to Covid -19. This guidance is available at 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uplo
ads/attachment_data/file/87833 3/Procurement_Policy_Note_0320_Use_of
_Procurement_Cards__2_.pdf .  Effective 6 
April 2020