An agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce, the JBDC is Jamaica’s premier business development organisation working collaboratively with government, private sector, as well as, academic, research and international communities.

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PUBLIC PROCUREMENT READINESS PROJECT

Capacity Building for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises on the Government Public Procurement Process

Background

The Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSME) sector is critical to the development and growth of any economy: not only does it account for a large percentage of the employed labour force, but it is also a large contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite its significance, the enterprises within the sector have been affected by its share of challenges. Public procurement is one particular area where MSMEs face significant challenges. MSMEs often lack the resources and technical know-how to participate in public bids, as such, MSMEs often times refrain from participating in public procurement tenders. Additionally, public procurement enterprises purchase a wide variety of goods and services from the private sector which account for a large spend of the public sector budget on an annual basis. Consequently, due to the foregoing limitations many local suppliers are missing out on opportunities to bid for these tenders.

In an effort to provide support to the sector, the Government of Jamaica introduced in its public procurement regime, measures to facilitate greater participation of MSMEs in public procurement opportunities thereby enabling competition and lower prices for public purchasers. The Public Procurement Order 2019 (Set Aside component of the Procurement Regime), will allow MSMEs to have access to 20% of government contracts. Under the public procurement law, this special and differential treatment measures will enable Jamaican suppliers to access Government procurement contracts. The Public Procurement (Set Aside) Order aims to create opportunities for specific groups of bidders who may be otherwise unable to earn government contracts with undertakings in industries targeted for development.
In an effort to further support this drive, a multi-stakeholder initiative was developed which is geared at improving the capacity of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to participate in public procurement opportunities. The project titled, ”Improving the Competitiveness of MSMEs through the Public Procurement Readiness Project”, is an initiative of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce MSME Division and will be implemented by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC). The range of benefits noted from engaging MSMEs in public procurement opportunities include: increased competition, improved value, increased innovation, increased job creation, improved social and economic equity, among others. Deemed as an integral aspect of the government’s activity, the introduction of this project will be a game changer that redefines the future of public procurement for MSMEs.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) is inviting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to submit applications for the Public Procurement Readiness Project. The project will be implemented by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC). The project is seeking to target 150 MSMEs to increase their participation in the public procurement process, by enhancing their capacity to successfully bid for public sector contracts

Applicants should complete the application form online at: https://www.research.net/r/WPCR2K8, or the website of the Ministry www.miic.gov.jm  or the website of JBDC www.jbdc.net”

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica, the Public Procurement Commission, and in possession of a Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
  • Enterprises must be operational for a minimum of 1 year.
  • Enterprise must be majority-owned by Jamaicans.
  • Enterprises must be active within one of the prioritised sectors as follows:

a) Agriculture and Agro Processing

b) Manufacturing (food products, textiles, apparel, bedding and related, concrete blocks & related, leather products and related, printing and reproduction of printing, wood and products of wood, chemicals and chemical products, pharmaceuticals, basic metals, fabricated metals, computers & electronics, electrical equipment, machinery & equipment, other manufacturing products)

c) Construction

d) Accommodation

e) Professional and Technical Services

f) Financial and Insurance Services

g) Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

h) ICT

i) Air Conditioning

j) Transportation and Storage

k) Administrative and Support Services.

The capacity building will be facilitated by JBDC and address: (1) The suite of incentives for MSMEs under the Government procurement process, (2) Fundamentals of the Government public procurement regime (including required documentation, steps for completing successful bids, exposure to the Government Electronic Procurement Platform), and sensitization on the special and differential treatments measures for MSMEs.

The capacity building interventions will be for five (5) days starting March 20, 2023 in Kingston, and roll out in other regions. The workshops will be delivered face-to-face.

The Call for Applications will close on Friday, February 24, 2023 at 4PM