The National Contracts Commission (NCC) was established to promote efficiency in the award and implementation of government contracts in Jamaica, following amendment of the Contractor General's Act in 1999, replacing the Government Contracts Committee which operated since 1963. The NCC is an independent Commission of Parliament with responsibility for overseeing the public sector procurement process and is required by law to ensure transparency, integrity and equity in the process.

In carrying out its functions, the National Contracts Commission:

• Examines tenders submitted for the award of contracts.

• Makes recommendations on the award of contracts to Government Ministries, Agencies, Departments and Cabinet, as required

• Has established and maintains a national register of public sector contractors, grading them in accordance with their capabilities and categorizing them in approximately thirty (30) skills areas.

• Presents proposals to Cabinet for improving efficiency in the procedures for the granting and implementation of government contracts.

• Oversees the activities of Sector Committees established by the Commission itself to help the NCC to discharge its responsibilities more effectively.

The Commission may by law enter into any transaction which it considers necessary or desirable for the proper performance of its functions. The NCC has the power to make regulations as provided for in the Contractor General’s Act and so may determine:

• the qualifications of prospective contractors and consultants for registration and classification

• the procedure for submission of tenders for government contracts

• the requirement for contractors to enter into performance bonds

• competitive bidding for government contracts

• the circumstances and procedures for cancelling the registration of contractors and consultants

The Commission has eight (8) members, headed by a Chairman. Its membership includes representatives from government agencies and the private sector. The members of the Commission are appointed to server for a period of seven (7) years.

The National Contracts Commission has established Sector Committees to facilitate the speedy processing of contracts. Sector Committees examine contract proposals for works, goods and services and guide and assist public sector entities.

Sector Committees have been established at the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Urban Development Corporation, the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, the National Works Agency, the Ministry of Water and Housing and the Ministry of Health. These entities were chosen to host NCC’s Sector Committees as they have in place the resources and experience necessary to support the process for the award of contracts.

The Sector Committees do not make decisions as to whether or not a project should be undertaken, or services procured, but rather ensures that the process by which a contractor or supplier is recommended for selection is fair and transparent, and indeed based on merit.

Standardized contractor registration procedures and new procurement guidelines that have been introduced will ensure that the process of awarding contracts awards is conducted with integrity and can stand up to public scrutiny. These standardized procedures, which place emphasis on transparency and consistency at all stages of public sector procurement, also serve as a guide to Ministries, Agencies and Departments in the invitation, evaluation and documentation of the contractor selection process.

The Office of the Contractor General is responsible for providing the National Contracts Commission and its Sector Committees with the administrative and other resources required to enable the proper performance of the NCC’s role and functions.