Direct contracting process for small amounts in the Official Public Procurement System of Ecuador (SOCE)

Abstract

In Ecuador, direct contracting under the “ínfima cuantía” (minimal amount) regime is governed by the Official Public Procurement System of Ecuador (SOCE). This mechanism enables public entities to procure goods, services, and works, provided that the contractual amount does not exceed the financial thresholds established by the Organic Law of the National Public Procurement System (LOSNCP). The assessment of this procurement modality focused on identifying and analyzing the characteristics of the maximum allowable amount, as determined by the National Public Procurement Service (SERCOP), as well as the specific requirements that are waived in comparison to bidding processes, auctions, or competitive tenders that ordinarily generate market competition among suppliers. The methodological design was framed within a quantitative approach, employing surveys administered to fifty public officials. The data collected referred to the minimum requirements, such as the availability of budgetary allocations, invoices or supporting purchase documents, the intended purpose of the acquisition, and the transparency and traceability inherent to the direct contracting process. The findings revealed the existence of significant challenges within the minimal amount procedure. According to respondents, the preparatory phase accounted for 33% of the reported difficulties, the pre-contractual phase 27%, the contractual phase 27%, and the evaluation phase 14%. The aspects identified as requiring improvement in the process include: the mandatory completion of forms directly within the procurement platform, certification of warehouse stock availability, and the integration of data with records of previous contracts to enhance procedural consistency and oversight.