“We have all mechanisms to monitor state procurements. All reforms, including identification of shortcomings, are oriented to prevention,” said Guram Dumbadze, Head of the Georgian Government’s Efficiency Department in GPB’s Business Partner program.

According to Dumbadze, the State Procurement Agency has a qualified team staffed by individuals from various professions, and representatives of both the Agency and the Government Efficiency Department are involved in the process.

Guram Dumbadze further explained that when the agency announces a procurement over 500,000 GEL, this does not mean that if the Department provides the Agency with a technical task, it will definitely announce it with that technical task.

“Consultations are held with purchasers and the private sector over issues, such as quality parameters, whether components respond to the needs and quantity issues; all parameters and quantities are ensured. We have to receive exactly what we announce. An agency representative will be involved in the entire process, including the handover part.

We have a very qualified team at the agency; they specialize in various fields. This can be pharmaceuticals or agricultural equipment. They are familiar with technical characteristics in detail. They can contact laboratories, verify expertise and make final decisions.

Our Department is involved in the monitoring process. We can check any procurement and involve expertise if needed at any time. Both the purchaser and the economic operator will always have the feeling that an external, independent party will check the parameters of receiving the goods, the quality of the goods and the terms of delivery,” he said.