Procurement Manual

Public procurement in Sierra Leone is subject to the Public Procurement Act  2004 (Gazette Vol. CXXV, No. 70). Legislation can only provide the overall  rules to be followed, and with the increasing value and complexity of  procurement, effective guidelines and step-by-step procedures are required to assist Civil Servants involved in the procurement process. 

The lack of a strong procurement profession and inadequate training of staff has led to many different interpretations of procurement procedures  throughout the Civil Service and Government owned organisations. Inefficiencies, poor specification of requirements, inadequate bidding  documentation and procedures, corrupt practices, payment delays and  inadequate contract management, have increased the cost of much public procurement to prices well above market rates.

This Manual details the standards, policies and procedures to be followed in the procurement of goods, works and services within the public sector, and also includes a section for guidance on asset disposal procedures. These standards, policies and procedures are designed to:

• guide the procurement and asset disposal processes;
• provide uniform procedures for the procurement of goods, works and services and for asset disposal; 
• ensure transparency and accountability in all operations, and consistency with the guidelines of donors where necessary; 
• improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations; 
• promote the consistent application of best procurement practices and international standards.