TYNDALL
FORMER FINANCIAL Secretary in the Finance and Planning Ministry, Shirley Tyndall, has been appointed chair of the new National Contracts Commission (NCC).
Ms. Tyndall, who retired last April after almost five decades in the public sector, succeeds former Chairman Donald Miller.
She was presented with the instrument of appointment by Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall at King's House on Wednesday. Contractor General Greg Christie witnessed the appointment.
With respect to infor-mation contained in the 18th annual report of the Office of the Con-tractor General showing a reduction in the level of non-compliance in the award of contracts since the establishment of the commission, Ms. Tyndall said the intention was to keep the momentum started by the previous body, whose tenure expired on Wednesday.
"What we expect is that this new commission will build on the successes of the previous commission. We certainly will be trying to build on the successes," she said.
Ms. Tyndall said she looked forward to working with the Office of the Contractor General, noting that the bodies, while "two distinct organisations", were both "creatures of Parliament" and so complemented each other.
Responsibilities of the National Contracts Commission
The NCC was established to promote efficiency in the awarding and implementation of government contracts, following the amendment of the Contractor General's Act in 1999, to replace 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.
The NCC, as part of its functions, examines tenders submitted for the award of contracts;
Makes recommendations on the award of contracts to government ministries, agencies, departments and Cabinet, as required;
Establishes and maintains a national register of public sector contractors, grading them in accordance with their capabilities and categorising them in approximately 30 skill areas;
Presents proposals to Cabinet for improving efficiency in the procedures for the granting and implementation of government contracts.
