KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Everald Warmington, is proposing that the ceiling for non-tender government contracts be raised to $1.5 million.

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Warmington noted that currently the limit for these contracts, which do not need to be tendered, is $500,000. However, he said that in the context of works the sum is negligible.

“The rules allow for three quotes to be received and an award made based on the prices. It may sound like a lot of money. But we all know that, in the context of works, this sum is negligible. Since the increase from $250,000 to $500,000, the Jamaican dollar has devalued some 65 per cent to 70 per cent. It is for this reason we are proposing that the ceiling for procurement of these small contracts be lifted to $1.5 million,” Warmington said.

“We believe this better reflects current realities, where cost of works are concerned, and will reduce the barriers that often prevent simple tasks from being accomplished in a reasonable time,” he stated.

The junior minister added that “small projects” were being held up for up to nine months because they have to be tendered due to the current limit.

Balford Henry