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Public Procurement in Guatemala

Public procurement in Guatemala is a legally regulated and highly structured system through which public institutions acquire goods, works, and services necessary for public administration, infrastructure delivery, and social programs. Public procurement represents a major component of government expenditure and plays a critical role in supporting national development priorities.

As one of the largest public spending channels in Guatemala, government procurement directly affects infrastructure expansion, healthcare delivery, education services, and institutional operations. The procurement system is centralized through a mandatory electronic platform, ensuring transparency, traceability, and public access to procurement information.

For domestic suppliers and international bidders, government tenders in Guatemala provide a large-volume, data-rich market characterised by high transaction volumes, mandatory eProcurement usage, and clearly defined legal procedures under national procurement law.

Country & Economic Overview

Public Procurement Governance Framework

Guatemala’s public procurement system is administered under the authority of the Ministry of Public Finance, with operational oversight exercised through a specialized procurement directorate.

• Public Procurement Authority (PPA): Dirección General de Adquisiciones del Estado
• Supervising Ministry: Ministerio de Finanzas Públicas
• PPA Website: http://www.guatecompras.gt
• Central Purchasing Body: Not designated at national level

All contracting authorities across central government, municipalities, and autonomous institutions are required to comply with the national procurement framework and publish procurement activities through the official electronic platform.

Legal & Regulatory Framework

Public procurement in Guatemala is governed by a single national law and its implementing regulations, which define procurement methods, thresholds, timelines, and control mechanisms.

• Primary Law: Ley de Contrataciones del Estado (Decree No. 57-92)
• Official Legal Text: Decreto Número 57-92 del Congreso de la República
• Key Legal Principles:
  • Transparency and public disclosure
  • Free competition and equal treatment
  • Efficiency and legality in public spending

Sustainability considerations are referenced under Article 28 of the procurement law, although green procurement is not mandatory.

Procurement Procedures & Thresholds

Procurement procedures include open tendering, direct purchasing, and simplified procurement, depending on contract value and type.

E-Procurement System Overview

Guatemala operates a fully mandatory national electronic procurement system that serves as the single official channel for publishing and managing public procurement processes.

• System Name: GUATECOMPRAS
• Launch Year: 2004
• Official Portal: http://www.guatecompras.gt
• Ownership Model: Government-managed service
• Supported Functions:
  • Procurement planning
  • Electronic tendering and quotations
  • Electronic publication and notifications
  • Electronic catalogues
• Languages: Spanish
• Currency: Guatemalan Quetzal
• World Bank Usage: Used by the World Bank for procurement processes

Procurement Market Characteristics

Procurement activity is heavily dominated by services procurement, followed by goods and public works.

Competition & Complaints

• Average Bidders per Goods Tender: 2.01
• Average Bidders per Works Tender: 1.34
• Average Bidders per Services Tender: 0.98
• Accepted Complaints: 1,767
• Rejected Complaints: 5,765
• Cancelled Procedures: 44,845

Transparency & Public Reporting

Guatemala maintains one of the most publicly accessible procurement information environments in the region.

• Procurement Statistics Portal:
  • http://www.guatecompras.gt/info/consultaDocumentosEstadisticos.aspx
  • https://www.guatecompras.gt/compradores/ConsultaPAC.aspx
  • https://www.guatecompras.gt/reportes/OfertasPresentadas.aspx

Sustainability & Green Public Procurement

Guatemala does not currently operate a formal green public procurement strategy.

• Green procurement roadmap: No
• Mandatory green procurement practices: No
• Environmental criteria in procurement law: Not mandatory

Key Challenges & Practical Insights for Bidders

• High volume of low-value procurement procedures
• Strong reliance on direct contracting mechanisms
• Low average bidder participation in services tenders
• Strict procedural compliance requirements
• Full reliance on the GUATECOMPRAS platform for participation

In summary, public procurement in Guatemala represents one of the most extensive and transparent procurement markets in Central America. With mandatory eProcurement, large transaction volumes, and comprehensive public disclosure, the system offers substantial opportunities for suppliers who can navigate procedural requirements and competitive dynamics effectively.