Anti-corruption Plan: Initiatives on Transparency and Open Government

Decree No. 258/2019 published on April 11, 2019, which approved the “National Anti-corruption Plan (2019-2023)”, comprises   91 measures which seek to improve Transparency and expedite the government’s openness towards citizens and to strengthen accountability and citizen control. At the same time, emphasis is put in the use of new technologies to encourage the exchange of information.

Similar to other measures comprised in National Anti-corruption Plan, the provisions regarding Transparency and Open Government set out an execution period for each policy and establish the body responsible for its implementation. With regards to public contracting related policies, The National Contracting Office and the Secretariat  for Modernization of Government have a leading role.

 

Below we explain the main measures related to transparency in public contracts. In a context in which important criminal investigations linked to corruption acts committed within public contracts are being developed, these measures result of great concern.

We highlight the following policies:

 

1. Strengthening of the systems for the acquisition of goods & services

This measure implies publishing on the "COMPRAR.AR" website not only the procedures for selection of contractors for the provision of goods and services, but also the stages and status of the performance of the corresponding contracts.

 

2. Strengthening of public work contracting systems

This measure implies publishing on the "CONTRATAR.AR" website and on the Federal Public Data Website not only the selection of public works contractor processes, but also the stages and status of the performance of the corresponding contracts.

 

3. Single bidding terms and conditions for public works agreements and integrity commitment

The policy prescribes the drafting of uniform bidding terms and conditions for all public work agreements to avoid targeted selection procedures. Until now, uniform bidding terms and conditions only existed for the acquisition of goods and services.

At the same time, under the policy it is mandatory for both public works and good and services contractors to sign an integrity commitment.

 

4. Expansion of the use of framework Agreements

This measure proposes to disseminate and increase the use of framework agreements to concentrate public purchases of goods and service

 

5. Public, open and interactive map of Public Road Works

So that citizens may visualize all constructions taking place in each route throughout the country.

 

6. Cross-sectional Invoice Register for the National Public Administration

The policy creates an invoice record with the purpose of establishing an improved control system to accelerate the authentication of invoices. This allows for the standardization of processes and the involvement of the Argentine Tax Authority.