E-Filing and Case Management System

How to file documents and communicate with the OPR in relation to Challenge Proceedings

The OPR uses an e-mail based filing system. The Hearing Rules and Procedures for Part V Challenge Proceedings states that any party can access the relevant prescribed forms to be used in Challenge Proceedings in the Challenge tab at www.oprtt.org. These forms can be downloaded and once completed, must be submitted to the OPR via e-mail to challenge@opr.org.tt along with supporting documents attached within the time frames specified in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act 2015, as amended, (“the Act”) and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Challenge Proceedings) Regulations 2021 (“the Regulations”).  All documents to be submitted to the OPR by any Party in relation to a Challenge Proceeding must be sent to the above-mentioned e-mail address.

All notices, decisions, and orders of the Hearing Panel will be issued through the Administrative Review Secretariat of the OPR (“the Secretariat”) to the parties via e-mail

Applicants

A supplier or contractor who submits an Application for Review (Form 8) will receive an e-mail indicating receipt of its Application along with the CASE ID NUMBER assigned to that matter. This CASE ID NUMBER must be included in the subject line of every subsequent e-mail sent to challenge@opr.org.tt in relation to that particular challenge.

Respondents

Procuring entities must ensure that they inform the OPR of the name and e-mail address of their current Named Procurement Officer (“NPO”) as well as any changes made after the provision of this information. The OPR uses that information to notify the procuring entity of any Challenge filed against it. Regulation 9 of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Challenge Proceedings) Regulations 2021 requires the procuring entity to file its reply (Form 9) within three (3) working days of the receipt of the notification by the OPR. The CASE ID NUMBER must be included in the subject line of every e-mail sent to challenge@opr.org.tt in relation to that particular Challenge.

Interested Parties

The OPR will publish a notice of receiving an Application for Review (Form 8) in two (2) daily newspapers and on its website within three (3) days of receiving the Application. Suppliers or contractors or other public bodies who may be interested parties in accordance with section 51 of the Act can visit Interested Parties to view details of the Application and instructions on how they can participate in those specific proceedings. A request to access a copy of the Application for Review in order to determine whether to apply to join as an Interested Party can be made by submitting the “Request for Application to Review to join as an Interested Party” which can be found in the Notices and Decisions page. The deadline for an interested party to file an Application to Participate (Form 10) and supporting documents is no later than six (6) days after the Application for Review was submitted to the OPR. The CASE ID NUMBER must be included in the subject line of every e-mail sent to challenge@opr.org.tt in relation to that particular challenge.

Key points for all Parties

i. Once an e-mail is sent to challenge@opr.org.tt, an acknowledgement e-mail will be issued to the sender. If an acknowledgement e-mail is not received, the sender must contact the Secretariat at secretariat@opr.org.tt before the end of the business day.

ii. Forms and documents submitted by each party to the OPR via challenge@opr.org.tt will be electronically stamped and returned via email to the respective party. Where required, pursuant to the Hearing Rules and Procedures for Part V Challenge Proceedings, parties must serve the electronically stamped copy of filed documents on the other parties to the proceedings and then submit a Confirmation of Service (Form 1) to challenge@opr.org.tt.

iii. All communication via challenge@opr.org.tt must include the CASE ID NUMBER in the subject line of the e-mail.

iv. Parties must provide their current e-mail address (and their Representative’s, if such persons will act on their behalf) on the relevant Forms submitted to the OPR. The OPR must be notified immediately of any changes to the e-mail addresses provided. Up to date e-mail addresses are essential for the timely flow of communication between the parties and the OPR in light of the short deadlines in the twenty (20) day Challenge process.

v. Parties can contact us at (868) 627-4OPR (4677) or (868) 266-4OPR (4677) if they encounter technical difficulties with using the e-filing system e.g. with uploading large attachments.