PDAC – The Office of Procurement Regulation

Should every Division within the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) establish their own PDAC or should there be one across the THA as a whole and is there a stipulated time one should be a member on this committee?

The THA or a Division of the THA is identified as a public body under section 4 of The Act. As such, the THA and each Division of the THA ought to have a ‘Named’ Procurement Officer and should therefore also have a PDAC. If the Assembly decides to have one ‘Named’ Procurement Officer then …

Should every Division within the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) establish their own PDAC or should there be one across the THA as a whole and is there a stipulated time one should be a member on this committee? Read More »

Who selects the PDAC committee?

The Accounting Officer or equivalent selects the members of PDAC.

Can members who sit on the Disposal Committee also sit on PDAC?

Persons sitting on the Disposal Committee should not sit on the PDAC. This is to ensure that there is a segregation of duties and that internal controls are maintained. Of note, the Disposal Committee and the PDAC are two separate Committees. The Disposal Committee acts as an operational committee responsible for recommending the best method …

Can members who sit on the Disposal Committee also sit on PDAC? Read More »

If there is only one legal representative, can they be on both the evaluation committee and the PDAC? If no, which of the two committees should they be placed in?

The OPR recommends that public bodies that do not possess the requisite internal capabilities (more particularly in the high-risk/high-value contracts) should source the required competency from another public body or in the case of high value contracts, the public body may need to outsource these services and bring in persons with the relevant capabilities.

Is the subject matter expert developing the evaluation criteria and approving the evaluation reports as a member of PDAC?

The PDAC does not approve evaluation reports or recommendations for awards. PDAC is a procedural safeguard set up to review and ensure that the evaluation committee followed the established procedures outlined in the public body’s approved Handbooks and Guidelines as well as the solicitation documents. Following the review, the PDAC will make a recommendation to …

Is the subject matter expert developing the evaluation criteria and approving the evaluation reports as a member of PDAC? Read More »

With reference to the recommendation that legal be a permanent member of the PDAC, is it a conflict of interest having that said person who would have advised on and drafted contracts also be a member of PDAC?

Where a conflict of interest may arise, the public body must elect an alternate member of the Corporate Secretariat/Legal Department to sit on the PDAC. The OPR recommends that the Legal representative be the chairperson of the PDAC.

Will the composition of Procurement and Disposal Advisory Committee (PDAC) vary according to subject matter or are the appointments permanent?

The PDAC should consist of a minimum of three (3) persons. The OPR is suggesting (at a minimum) the following composition: (a) Corporate Secretary/Head of Legal; (b) Head of Finance; and (c) Subject Matter Expert. The Head of Legal and the Head of Finance may be established as permanent members of the PDAC. The third …

Will the composition of Procurement and Disposal Advisory Committee (PDAC) vary according to subject matter or are the appointments permanent? Read More »

FAQ Category: PDAC