USAID IRAQ ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM PROJECT MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT, NOVEMBER 2014

The project's primary focus is on enhancing transparency and efficiency in the procurement process, ultimately creating a favorable environment for international businesses and better services for the Iraqi people. In November 2014, Tarabot, the project's implementing partner, conducted a range of activities to support the GoI's procurement reform efforts. These included workshops, technical meetings, and on-job training sessions for government officials from various ministries and governorates. The workshops focused on standard bidding documents (SBDs), requests for proposals, and other procurement-related topics. The Ministry of Planning (MoP) has been a key partner in the project, and Tarabot has taken steps to prepare the ministry to lead a national procurement reform initiative. The MoP has been conducting workshops and applied trainings for other GoI entities, and Tarabot has provided knowledge transfer and anchoring of sound practices to support the ministry's efforts. Tarabot also conducted a ten-day SBD workshop in Baghdad for nine participants from the MoP's Directorate General of Government Contracts. The workshop covered topics such as prequalification of contracting firms and requests for proposals. Additionally, Tarabot provided regular coordination meetings with the MoP's Director General of Government Contracts to discuss the next steps for the reform program. The project has made significant progress in building the capacity of GoI partners in procurement. Over 2,000 individuals have received training on procurement processes, and many government partners are now actively piloting the skills they learned on their own procurements. Tarabot has also provided hand-on support to 13 of its partner entities to prepare tenders. The development of the Public Procurement Portal has been placed on hold upon the request of USAID. However, Tarabot is working with the Ministry of Communications to develop SBDs for consultancy services for the development of the GSM communications network. The project has also submitted a draft plan for procurement reform to the Ministry of Electricity for review and approval by the deputy minister. Overall, the USAID Iraq Administrative Reform Project continues to make progress in supporting the GoI's procurement reform efforts. The project's focus on enhancing transparency and efficiency in the procurement process is critical to creating a favorable environment for international businesses and better services for the Iraqi people.