Improve the process of public procurement and contracting at the Santa Catarina Executive Branch being guided by the principles and rules of transparency and open contracting, making it more effective and accessible to citizens and other stakeholders (BRSCS0002)

Commitment ID

BRSCS0002

Commitment Title

Improve the process of public procurement and contracting at the Santa Catarina Executive Branch being guided by the principles and rules of transparency and open contracting, making it more effective and accessible to citizens and other stakeholders

Problem

Public procurement is among the segments that are the most exposed to conflicts of interest, favoritism, and corruption, due to the large volume of financial resources it involves. In this context, transparency is presented not only as a tool against corruption but also as an ally to the procurement process quality, since it is decisive to increase the public procurement competitiveness. Since the Fiscal Responsibility Act was enacted in 2000, other laws emerged intending to promote transparency and combat corruption. The lack of systems integration, problems at information and processes standardizing and the lack of management information systems adaptation, however, become barriers to the promotion of transparency and the fight against corruption, as they make the combination of scattered data and information a challenging activity to public administration.

Status quo

In 2019, the SC government paid R$ 3,5 billion to suppliers, that represents 13,4% of the total collection of the State in the period (SEF, 2019). Information on contracts, however, is not available in a complete and accessible way for public scrutiny.

There are several national and international studies that analyze and define principles for transparency promotion in the public sector (such as the Open Contracting Partnership), dedicating specific criteria to the procurement area. However, the public procurement practices of the Executive Branch of Santa Catarina are not fully aligned with the principles and standards of transparency and open contracting.

The Administrative System of Materials and Services Management (SAGMS), linked to the State Secretariat of Administration, is responsible for regulating, supervising, guiding and formulating policies for the management of materials and services (SANTA CATARINA, 2019).

Action

The commitment seeks to adapt the public procurement process and the data provision implementing a protocol based on legislation, recommendations from stakeholders, and guides and studies on transparency, aiming to improve the procurement process of the Executive Branch of Santa Catarina being guided by the principles and rules of transparency and open contracting.

The commitment implementation involves the creation of transparency protocols, training of servants involved in risk management of public procurement, partnerships with universities and research laboratories, improvements at the public procurement portal and enhancement of the availability of public data and information.

As a result, it seeks the structuration of the public procurement data, adequacy of transparency channels, and promotion of Accountability.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

The commitment fulfillment will bring greater transparency to the procurement processes within the Executive Branch of Santa Catarina, promoting accountability and expanding the access of citizens and other stakeholders to procurement data. In addition, it is expected to increase the citizen control power over public acquisitions.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

Currently, perceiving its complex and strategic character, public procurement management is an increasingly important issue within the Public Administration. Thus, understanding and discussing public purchases as something more than a simple administrative and operational procedure is imperative for Public managers. In this sense, adoption of international public procurement protocols, training of servants involved in risk management of public procurement, partnerships with universities and research laboratories, improvements at the public procurement portal, and enhancement of the availability of public data and information aim to approach the values expressed in the long-term vision for transparency in public management and in prevention and fight against corruption.

Primary Policy Area

Open Contracting, Public Procurement

Primary Sector

Public Services (general)

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?