Brazil and Portugal pass reforms to simplify public procurement oversight

Brazil enacted Law No. 14.770, adding Article 184‑A to the 2021 procurement law. The new regime creates a simplified oversight model for federal convenios and transfer contracts worth up to R$ 1.5 million, replacing continuous technical monitoring with a single site‑visit verification based on work‑plan compliance, while retaining full manager responsibility and labor obligations.

Portugal approved amendments to its Public Contracts Code that remove the mandatory pre‑review of execution projects for large works, allow contractors to propose changes with author consent, and introduce a tacit‑approval rule for subcontracting after 30 days of silence. The changes also eliminate the requirement to set a maximum price ceiling and give owners immediate administrative possession of works pending litigation.

Both measures aim to reduce bureaucratic burdens and accelerate project delivery in their respective public sectors.