Trinidad and Tobago proposes changes to public procurement laws

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is proposing the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to significantly alter the nation's procurement regime. The proposed legislation would expand the categories of state spending exempt from standard rules to include energy (oil and natural gas), national security, and public-private partnerships for public housing.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles-Robinson has criticized the bill, warning that it would weaken the Office of Procurement Regulation (OPR) by making its recommendations advisory and non-binding following investigations. Under the current system, the OPR can suspend proceedings or require decisions to be reversed, as seen in a recent $3.4 billion housing contract intervention. The new bill would remove these remedies, such as the ability to stay proceedings or direct re-evaluations.

Additional changes include doubling the threshold for certain simplified procurements to $2 million for permanent secretaries and accounting officers, shortening the standstill period for contract challenges from 10–15 days to 5–10 days, and introducing the possibility of legal costs against contractors who pursue challenges.