Governor General

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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, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall at King's House this morning (May 17). Contractor General Greg Christie witnessed the appointment.

Speaking in a JIS News interview, Ms. Tyndall, who is expected to hold the position for the next seven years, classified the period as "just about a day and a half of service", noting that she has already spent 46 years in the public sector. "I've been asked to serve and I will try to give it my best," she added.

With respect to information contained in the 18th annual report of the office of the Contractor 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 expires today, May 17.

"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 stated.

Ms. Tyndall said she looked forward to working with the Office of the Contractor General, noting that the bodies, while "two distinct organizations", were both "creatures of Parliament" and so complemented each other.

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 categorizing them in approximately 30 skill areas; and presents proposals to Cabinet for improving efficiency in the procedures for the granting and implementation of government contracts.

It also oversees the activities of sector committees, which the NCC has established, to help in the effective discharge of its functions.

The Commission may, by law, enter into any transaction, which it considers necessary or desirable for the proper performance of its functions. It has the power to make regulations as provided for in the Contractor General's Act and can determine: the qualifications of prospective contractors and consultants for registration and classification; the procedure for submission of tenders for government contracts; the requirement for contractors to enter into performance bonds, competitive bidding for government contracts, and the circumstances and procedures for canceling the registration of contractors and consultants.

The eight-member NCC includes representatives from government agencies and the private sector, who are appointed to serve for a period of seven years.

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