The Procurement Unit is a sub-section of the Bursary and was established in 2016 to provide oversight and
management of the Campus’ procurement function, oversee the implementation of approved Procurement
Policies and Procedures and ensure compliance with internal policies and prevailing legislative and regulatory
requirements. The Procurement Unit is also responsible for developing procurement policies on behalf of The
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus (The UWI) and remains committed to providing advice,
guidance and direct support to all internal stakeholders involved in procurement activity at the St. Augustine Campus
in order to improve operational efficiencies and optimize the Campus’ procurement processes.
The Responsibilities of the Procurement Unit include:
Procurement Policy
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Undertake periodic policy and procedural reviews and manage updates.
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Development of procurement templates, forms, guidelines, handbooks and other literature required to standardize the procurement function, manage procurement risk and optimize procurement outcomes for the Campus.
Procurement Oversight and Management
- Manage the implementation of new and revised procurement policies and procedures.
- Oversight of procurement and disposal of asset activities on Campus for compliance to existing procurement policies and procedures and prevailing procurement legislation and regulations.
- Provide advice, guidance and support to the wider Campus on any/all procurement activities
- Manage general procurement auditing and reporting; engage in spot procurement audits as required.
- Examining procurement spend and developing effective cost management and cost savings strategies e.g. bulk-buying.
Training and Education
- Conduct continuous procurement sensitization, training and education to staff and other stakeholders as it relates to internal polices, and prevailing procurement legislation.
Legislative Compliance
- Ensure legislative and regulatory awareness & compliance as required by the existing Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act of 2015 (amended), and any associated Regulations.
- Sole liaison between the Campus and the Office of Procurement Regulation (OPR) as it relates to the UWI STA’s procurement function.
- Periodic reporting to the OPR on procurement activities, as required.
Support Function
- To provide Secretariat support to the Campus Procurement Committee (CPC), the Capital Expenditure Committee and the Reconstituted Board of Survey (Disposal Committee).
Management of Suppliers and Contractors
- Manage Contractor/Supplier Pre-qualification and Performance Management.
- Debrief unsuccessful bidders on any unsuccessful outcome in the procurement process.
Procurement at The UWI is guided by its internal policies and procedures and, must also be executed in accordance with the objects of The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act of 2015, amended (The Act) and any associated Regulations. In accordance with Part 1 of the Act, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus is considered a public body as per the following definitions:
“(k) a body corporate or unincorporated entity —
- (i) in relation to any function which it exercises on behalf of the State; or
- (ii) which is established by virtue of the President’s prerogative, by a Minister of Government in his capacity as such or by another public authority; or
(l) a body corporate or unincorporated entity in relation to any function, project, scheme or arrangement which involves the use by it, of public money".
The Procurement Manager as head of the Procurement Unit is also the designated ‘Named Procurement Officer’ for The UWI, as specified in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act of 2015, amended, (The Act). The Act necessitates a qualified procurement professional be charged with oversight of and responsibility for procurement within public entities.
Procurement Unit Staff
The Procurement Unit staff comprises of:
